Galilee Medical Center Head and neck surgeon Dr. Eyal Sela with the metal detector. (Photo by Roni Albert)
In the face of increasing combat-related injuries, an Israeli doctor has devised a creative solution to a critical medical challenge. Dr. Eyal Sela, head of the Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Department at Galilee Medical Center, has pioneered the use of a consumer-grade metal detector to locate shrapnel in patients with head and neck injuries.
The outbreak of the Iron Swords War against Hamas in Gaza led to a surge in patients with embedded metal fragments. Traditional methods for locating these dangerous objects were proving frustratingly slow and inefficient. Dr. Sela’s innovative approach, using a metal detector purchased from AliExpress, has significantly streamlined the process, reducing both treatment time and potential complications.
The catalyst for this unconventional solution came during a particularly challenging surgery. A soldier, injured by Hezbollah gunfire from Lebanon, arrived at the medical center with a bullet lodged at the base of his skull. Despite knowing its general location, Dr. Sela struggled for over an hour to pinpoint the exact position of the bullet.
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“I knew where the bullet was,” Dr. Sela recounted, “but despite that, for more than an hour I couldn’t locate it. During the surgery, I told myself: ‘If I had a metal detector, I would find it quickly’.”
This moment of inspiration led Dr. Sela to acquire a metal detector specifically designed to signal the presence of shrapnel. Since then, the device has proven invaluable in numerous surgeries, including the successful removal of shrapnel from a soldier injured in the recent Hurfeish drone attack.
Dr. Sela emphasized the unique challenges presented by head and neck injuries: “When it comes to shrapnel in the hand or leg, it is easier to locate, but when the shrapnel is in the head and neck area, it is much more challenging. Surgeries in these areas are complex and sensitive; even slight movements during surgery can cause paralysis, due to the proximity to nerves and blood vessels.”
This innovative use of readily available technology demonstrates the power of creative thinking in medical practice. As conflict-related injuries continue to present complex challenges, Dr. Sela’s approach offers a beacon of hope for more efficient and effective treatments.
