68-year-old children's book author undergoes a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) after 12 months of chronic pancreatitis that failed medical and endoscopic treatment. Surgery complicated by pseudoaneurysm of gastroduodenal artery requiring careful dissection.
Also known as: Struck by lightning
42-year-old TV reporter struck by lightning while in helicopter during storm. Sustained multiple traumatic injuries including spinal fractures, burns, vascular injury, and was impaled by helicopter seat through thigh. Required emergency intubation, chest tubes, spinal decompression and fusion, and vascular repair.
Also known as: Broken neck
Unilateral facet fracture at C3 requiring surgical decompression and spinal fusion to prevent paralysis.
Also known as: Broken back
Compression fracture at T5 requiring stabilization as part of spinal surgery.
Also known as: Collapsed lung
Bilateral collapsed lungs requiring chest tubes on both sides. During surgery developed tension pneumothorax when chest tube became blocked, requiring emergency intervention.
Also known as: Severed femoral artery
Vascular injury from seat impalement requiring surgical repair.
Also known as: Second-degree burns
Third-degree burns from lightning strike sustained during helicopter crash.
Also known as: Struck by lightning
Family of three injured when lightning struck basketball hoop in their backyard. All experienced indirect lightning strike with disorientation and various complications including perforated eardrum and burns from vaporized jewelry.
Also known as: Perforated eardrum
Mother sustained perforated eardrum from lightning strike causing temporary hearing loss, expected to heal on its own.