Jumping the High Bar over Traumatic Head Injuries
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Jumping the High Bar over Traumatic Head Injuries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUwXDyKiEzE
Savannah Sartory had taken a break from her favorite hobby – horseback riding – for a quick go-kart trip on her family’s property in Louisburg, Kan. But when her hair became tangled in the engine, she experienced injuries that were far more serious than anyone expected.
The little girl’s long tresses had hidden the damage until E.R. doctors examined her. A third of the 9-year-old’s scalp had been torn away. Worse, though, was her depressed skull fracture. “The E.R. doctor told us that this should have been fatal,” remembered mom Becky. He immediately called for a transfer to Children’s Mercy.
Once there, Usiakimi Igbaseimokumo, MD, Pediatric Neurosurgeon, and Alison E. Kaye, MD, Plastic Surgeon, performed back-to-back procedures. First, Dr. “Igbas” lifted the depressed piece of skull back into place. Then Dr. Kaye repositioned the scalp to make the exposed skull area smaller.
More surgeries followed in the enduring months. Savannah had skin temporarily grafted onto her head to cover the remaining exposed skull. Later, skin expanders were placed under her existing scalp to stretch it. Eventually, that skin would cover the missing and grafted areas.
Building a bond
During weekly appointments with Dr. Kaye, trust between her and Savannah grew. “Dr. Kaye is absolutely amazing, and her nurses Annie and Carol were amazing, as well,” Becky said. “Carol never failed to put a smile on Savannah’s face at every appointment.”
Savannah also drew comfort from those she worked with from child life. “They were fantastic and explained everything to Savannah using a doll that Savannah could color and ‘experiment’ on,” Becky said. “She also liked the music therapist that taught her to ‘play’ the guitar.” Both activities helped distract Savannah during her hospital stays.
Sitting tight – at least for awhile
Her head injury restricted Savannah from all of her favorite activities due to risk of bumping her head and getting an infection. Those restrictions extended to horseback riding, a hobby she started at age 4 but began to pursue with a passion about 3½ years ago. “She was getting ready to switch to the English saddle when the accident happened,” Becky said.
A little over a year after the accident, though, Savannah was able to – literally – get back in the saddle again. “She was initially excited but nervous,” Becky said. “She was slow to do much at first because she was fearful of falling and hurting herself and having to go through more surgeries and pain. But she persisted and is in the English saddle now and training to go over fences.”
Although Savannah faces additional surgeries, Becky said, “We know that with God, the support of our amazing family and friends and the amazing work of all the doctors and nurses, Savannah will be okay. I will forever be indebted to Children’s Mercy and their amazing staff.”