An American man, Brandon Alexander, underwent his fourth skull removal procedure to address an infection, allowing for the necessary cleansing of his brain. While it’s unconventional to think about washing the brain, Brandon has become acquainted with this unique medical process.
The journey began in October 2019 when Alexander ventured out on a skateboard. Fast forward half a decade, and Alexander still remains unaware of the events following his departure. He regained consciousness three days later at a New York hospital, embarking on a series of brain surgeries and facial reconstructions. One operation even left a ‘drain’ in his head, as Alexander clarified, “I had this drain, a JP drain, that was in my head that should’ve been taken out before I left the hospital, but they said they would leave it in since it was the only thing keeping me in the hospital after my ‘face lift’ surgery.”
In September, Alexander had surgery, leading to complications such as fluid buildup in his head and a blocked drain.
He described a sensation akin to his brain ‘doing backflips’ and remembered hearing his ‘heartbeat in [his] head.’ “I tried to sleep, but I couldn’t,” Alexander explained.
Alexander returned to NYU Hospital, discovering he had contracted a post-surgical site infection. The diagnosis mandated another skull removal for brain cleansing. Recounting the moment, he said, “They thought I was having a stroke, so they rushed me to get a CT scan. They found an infection underneath my artificial skull implant that was rapidly progressing, and a physician’s assistant broke the news that I would need surgery. My girlfriend said she just watched my life fall apart because having a skull removed means having to start over again—everything has to start over.”
In a TikTok video, Alexander shared, “I have to have the entire left side of my skull removed again, for the fourth time.” In his recent brain surgery, doctors cleaned his brain and used 89 staples on his head. Surprisingly, Alexander’s struggle with sleep played a crucial role in saving his life, as doctors revealed he likely wouldn’t have awakened otherwise.
“I now don’t have a skull, but they replaced it with a titanium mesh, acting as a temporary substitute until my next brain surgery in April 2024,” Alexander explained. “On November 21st, my course of antibiotics concluded, and I have to wait six months to a year for a new skull. They want to ensure the infection is completely gone before I can receive a new skull and ear implant. Now, I’ve got two surgeries left if all goes to plan—one to address my head and face and another for a new implant.”
Alexander has set up a GoFundMe page to assist with his medical expenses, and you can contribute to it here.