A teenager's life was saved after she underwent pioneering surgery which involved part of her skull being removed and stored in her stomach.
Chelsey Smith, from Newarthill in North Lanarkshire, thanked staff at a children's hospital after she was left with life-threatening injuries after a road accident in February 2022 when she was 15. Initially taken to the University Hospital in Wishaw, she was then transferred to the paediatric major trauma centre in Glasgow for specialist treatment.
Part of the teenager's skull was removed to reduce swelling in the brain and then stored in her stomach to keep it sterile. The surgery was carried out by consultant paediatric neurosurgeon Roddy O’Kane. Chelsey has now made a “remarkable recovery” and was a guest of honour at the trauma centre’s training day this week.
