Ophthalmology department – shrapnel removed from patient’s eye orbital bone, injury from Ashdod gas station attack. Patient’s vision was successfully saved.
Dr. Milshtein with Shlomo Kedem
Shlomo Kedem (78), a resident of Ashdod, father of five children and grandfather to six grandchildren, was wounded during a missile strike at the Ashdod gas station Friday morning, July 11, 2014.
Successfully surgery was performed at the Kaplan Medical Center, headed by Professor Ayala Pollack. Removed was shrapnel that penetrated the eye socket. Kaplan doctors were able to save Kedem’s left eye.
Kedem recounted the experience at the Ashdod gas station:
“All of a sudden the siren went on, so I walked towards the protected area in the coffee shop nearby. It was packed with people. I clung to the wall when suddenly there was a tremendous deafening explosion.
The shrapnel removed
I felt a cut under my eye where the shrapnel came in, and I had tinnitus as well”, says Shlomo.
“I was rushed by an ambulance to the emergency room at Kaplan Medical Center. They treated me with great devotion and then I was transferred to the safe hands of the ophthalmology department’s medical staff.
Amazing doctors were able to remove the shrapnel completely, and prevent permanent damage to my eye. Big thanks to these precious people”.
Left to right: Yael German – minister of health, Shlomo Kedem, Prof. Jacob Yahav – CEO Kaplan Medical Center and Prof. Ayala Pollak – Head of the Ophthalmology department
Ophthalmology surgeon, Dr. Asher Milstein, explained: “Shrapnel that penetrated the cheek and broke the bone was stopped a few microns below the eyeballs. During surgery performed under general anesthesia, we removed the shrapnel and it was given to Shlomo’s wife.”
“There is no doubt that in this case Shlomo was very lucky, and prompt treatment saved his eye.”