Six injured veterans of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will undergo surgeries starting this week at Sheba Medical Center, the largest hospital in Israel. The surgeries will be performed by a team of Sheba surgeons and global experts, made possible through a collaboration between Sheba and Brothers for Life, a non-profit organization that provides immediate aid to injured IDF veterans.
Sergeant O. serves in an IDF special forces unit. In January, during an infiltration operation in Jenin, he stepped on an explosive device, causing severe damage to his right leg. After being evacuated by helicopter to a nearby hospital, he underwent surgery to amputate his leg above the knee and install a prosthesis. Ten days later, he was transferred to Sheba, where he spent six months in rehabilitation and continues to receive regular care.
Following the surgery, Sergeant O. experienced severe pain in his right leg due to a damaged nerve, which prevented him from walking. He is about to undergo additional surgery at Sheba, led by Dr. Jason Souza, Director of the Orthoplastic and Advanced Amputation Reconstruction Program at Ohio State University. The operation will untangle the nerve in his leg and alleviate the pain caused by the prosthesis.
Orthoplastic surgery is a multidisciplinary approach to physical injuries such as limb loss, combining the skills of plastic and orthopedic surgery. "It is used to treat injuries that can impair bodily functions, cannot heal on their own, or have a significant impact on a patient’s physical appearance."
"Throughout my journey, I’ve been inspired by the commitment of Israelis to help heal soldiers. All the surgeons I’ve met have been receptive to new ideas and improving their practice. No specialist alone can tackle the entire problem of trauma, and their open communication and collaboration are commendable," said Dr. Souza. "Over the past 20 years, following September 11, we’ve seen tremendous advancements in care for amputees. Today, we put the same energy and care into a missing limb as we do in an intact one," he added.
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, Sheba Medical Center has been at the forefront of treating injured civilians and IDF soldiers. To date, the hospital has treated over 1,600 IDF veterans.
"We are honored to serve those who have served us. It is our duty to help veterans rebuild their lives and enable them to envision a future filled with hope and possibilities," added Dr. Avi Avitan, head of the outpatient rehabilitation clinic at Sheba Medical Center. "Our network of healthcare professionals, including surgeons, physiotherapists, and prosthetists, supports patients at every stage of their recovery, providing assistance in every possible way."
Gil Ganonyan, the founder of Brothers for Life, was severely injured in 2004 during an operation to capture a wanted terrorist, sustaining gunshot wounds to his neck and spine that damaged the left side of his body. During his rehabilitation, Ganonyan traveled to New Orleans for a second opinion on his treatment options.
"This is a historic moment for IDF veterans. The collaboration between Israeli and international doctors improved my own recovery and can help save the lives of many other veterans," said Gil Ganonyan, co-founder and executive president of Brothers for Life. "Today, Brothers for Life supports over 2,000 injured soldiers. We are fully committed to continuing our vital mission of supporting the physical and mental recovery of our heroes," he concluded.
Caroline Haïat
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