Chinese doctors save man nearly decapitated in robotic arm accident

Chinese doctors at Shanghai Changzheng Hospital successfully saved a man who was nearly decapitated after being struck by a robotic arm in an industrial accident on May 31, 2025. The impact severed his cervical vertebrae and damaged critical arteries, leaving his neck connected only by soft tissue. Despite severe bruising, the patient’s spinal cord remained intact, which was crucial for survival. The man suffered immediate paralysis and cardiac arrest, with both vertebral arteries obstructed and blood pressure dangerously low. The medical team faced enormous risks, including potential catastrophic bleeding and infection, compounded by the patient’s critical condition that limited preoperative imaging and assessments. On June 18, a multidisciplinary surgical team performed a groundbreaking three-hour operation to remove a clot, realign the cervical bones, and stabilize the spine using auxiliary plates—a first in such a severe case. Surgeons had to make real-time decisions during the procedure to avoid secondary injuries to blood vessels and nerves. Post-surgery, the patient regained