Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

A massive chunk of this man’s skull that was removed so doctors could treat a cerebral haemorrhage following a road accident was kept alive by being sewn into his body while his brain healed itself.

The life of 48-year-old Osman Yilmaz, who works in a restaurant in the north-western Turkish province of Istanbul, was turned upside down when he was involved in a traffic accident about six months ago.

He had been walking on the street when he was hit by a car, causing extensive damage to his head that caused his brain to start swelling and he also suffered a brain bleed.

In order to stop intracranial oedema from exerting pressure on the brain they decided to remove part of his skull, and because it could not be instantly replaced, in order to keep it alive it was placed inside his abdomen where it could be protected and kept alive.

Initially, the operation appeared to be a success, his condition started to improve and he began to hope that he would be able to go home to recuperate, but his condition then suddenly took a turn for the worse.

Within weeks, his body functions deteriorated, he could not walk on his own, his swallowing weakened, and he could not even swallow his medications.

Osman’s family worried that his condition was worsening significantly contacted Dr Halil Olgun Peker.

Dr Halil, who saw Osman’s x-rays, declared the situation was critical as while excessive pressure can be fatal, the lack of pressure by the removal of the skull can also be deadly, and so he arranged for him to have surgery immediately.

He replaced the skull bones Osman had been carrying in his stomach for about five months, and two weeks after the operation, Osman started to be able to walk, talk, and even make plans to return to work.

According to the news website Haberler’s report, Dr Halil said that if Osman had been a few more weeks late, this surgery would not have worked, and he would have had to continue his life as a bedridden care patient.

Osman’s sister, Tulay Bicer, said, “We have been observing that he has slowly returned to his old life every day since he had the surgery. He can walk and talk again. He is a very active, hardworking person. He wants to return to his working life as soon as possible.”