IRAQ Man did not follow safety regulations at his workplace in a manufacturing factory, which led to a nasty accident. His hair got caught in a machine, and the machine scalped him. His colleagues gave him first aid and called an ambulance to the scene. The man was transported to a hospital into the care of doctors, who unfortunately were not able to sew the scalp back in place. Further updates about his medical condition are not known.
It is very likely that if such an accident had happened in the USA or in other more developed parts of the world, doctors could have helped him much better. With microsurgical replantation, they could have reattached the scalp and he would have been left with only a few scars. However, this is a very demanding procedure in which a microscope must be used to reconnect all the blood vessels. The surgeons also need sufficient practice.
In cases where the scalp cannot be replanted, skin transplantation is the next step. Skin is taken, for example, from the thigh and transplanted onto the head. Hair does not grow on such skin, but it still preserves its protective function for the skull. Later, for aesthetic reasons, a so-called hair transplant can be performed.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have to give first aid to someone with a scalp injury, the most important thing, of course, is to call an ambulance and stop massive bleeding (if there is any). The second most important thing is to take care of the detached scalp. It is recommended to keep it in a cool environment, but never place it directly on ice or in a refrigerator. First, wrap it as sterilely as possible in a bag, and then place that bag on ice or in the refrigerator.
