In a rare surgery, doctors at Hadassah Medical Centre, a hospital in Jerusalem in Israel reattached a 12 year old Palestinian boy’s head to his neck.

The boy, Suleiman Hassan suffered from bilateral atlanto-occipital joint dislocation, commonly known as internal or orthopedic decapitation.

According to the Hadassah Medical Centre, the boy was hit by a car while he was riding his bicycle following which the boy's head was almost completely detached from the joint of his neck.

However, the skin and the major blood vessels remained attached.

The boy underwent several hours of surgery which was done early June but the hospital announced it recently.

“The injury is very rare in adults, and even more so in children,” stated the release.

One of the surgeons, Dr Ohad Einav, told The Times of Israel: “We fought for the boy’s life.”

“The procedure itself is very complicated and took several hours. While in the operating room, we used new plates and fixations in the damaged area.

“Our ability to save the child was thanks to our knowledge and the most innovative technology in the operating room.”

The injury is treated by fusing the skull and spinal column together using rods, screws, plates and possibly bone grafts.

Suleiman's father said, “I will thank you all my life for saving my dear only son. Bless you all. 

“Thanks to you, he regained his life even when the odds were low and the danger was obvious.

“What saved him were professionalism, technology and quick decision-making by the trauma and orthopedics team. All I can say is a big thank you.”

(With inputs from LBC)