The roofer whose skull was pierced by a wooden stake in a freak work accident says he feels “born again” after leaving hospital.
The 40cm-long piece of wood fell onto Vitor Soares do Nascimento as he worked on a roof installation on 10 July.
Shocking CT scan images show how it fractured his skull above his right eye and lodged 6cm (2.4 inch) deep.
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Vitor, 28, was taken to a local hospital in Mangaratiba, west of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Because his injuries were so severe, he had to be transferred to a larger facility in nearby Duque de Caxias by air ambulance.
He remained awake and lucid throughout the ordeal.
Medics diagnosed him with a fronto-facial fracture with bone fragments and deep brain contusion.
He underwent emergency surgery that evening, as reported on Need To Know.
In the gruelling operation, which lasted four hours, the stake was removed from his head and his brain bleed was drained.
Afterwards, he was admitted to the ICU on mechanical ventilation.
He was extubated a short while later and quickly came to.
Fourteen days later, on Wednesday (24 Jul), Vitor was discharged.
He was taken home by his mother and brother.
He told local media: “I’m really happy and thrilled to be going home.
“I thank God and the doctors for giving me another chance.
“I was working with the wood, and it broke and hit my head. I didn’t even have time to react.
“I fainted. I feel like I was born again.”
Vitor sustained damage to his right frontal lobe and a small part of his frontal lobe in the accident.
The frontal lobe plays a role in regulating emotions in interpersonal relationships and social situations.
Despite the severity of his injuries, he hasn’t suffered any mobility or memory loss.
He is on a course of antibiotics and is working with a speech therapist as part of the recovery process.
At some point, he will undergo surgery to reconstruct the affected area.
Dr Thiago Resende of the Adão Pereira Nunes Hospital said: “He experienced some loss of brain matter, but it hasn’t affected his basic functions.
“We’ll need to monitor him over the next few months to see if there will be any cognitive impairment.
“Right now…his neurological condition is satisfactory.”
Vitor said: “Now, I just want to enjoy my mum’s cooking, spend time with my daughter, and see her a bit.”
His relieved mum, Luciana Soares dos Santos, added: “He asked for rice, beans, and steak with fries. We’re going to make that dinner for him.
“Now, we just need to thank God for the victory and his new lease on life.”
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