Also known as: Brain bruising
A death row inmate presents with expanding brain contusions causing increased intracranial pressure. He initially refuses surgery, preferring to die in the hospital rather than by execution. The surgical team performs decompressive craniectomy when he becomes unconscious, removing part of his skull to relieve pressure.
Also known as: Short bowel syndrome
A young pediatric patient awaiting combined liver and intestine transplant. During the transplant surgery, the donor organs clot off and fail, requiring removal and a portacaval shunt as a temporary measure while awaiting new donor organs.
Also known as: Bone infection
A patient develops deep bone infection following elective leg-lengthening surgery performed in Hong Kong. The infection requires removal of the surgical hardware and debridement of infected bone and tissue.
Also known as: Heart transplant rejection
The transplanted liver and intestine fail during surgery due to clotting throughout the organs, requiring their removal to prevent further harm to the patient.
Also known as: PTSD
Owen exhibits symptoms of PTSD from his military service in Iraq, including sleep disturbances and appearing drunk on a date after trying to cope with anxiety. His best surgery story reveals the trauma he carries from combat medicine.