Schoolboy’s skull put together ‘like a jigsaw’ in life-saving operation to stop his brain from being crushed

A child’s skull has been reassembled like a puzzle to prevent his brain from being crushed by a life-threatening condition.

Daniel Bradly of Alfreton in Derbyshire contracted the rare craniosynostosis at three months, and it only affects one in 2,500 babies.

It occurs when the skull’s joints fuse together, which means there isn’t enough room for the brain to grow.

If left untreated, it can compress parts of the brain as it expands and in some cases lead to an unusually shaped head, learning difficulties, eye problems and death.

During Daniel’s life-saving surgery in 2012, when he was just one year old, doctors had to painstakingly disassemble Daniel’s skull piece by piece and reconstruct it like a puzzle.

The procedure drilled a hole in Daniel’s head so that the skull could reattach as he aged.

The young man, now 10 years old, has fully recovered from the surgery, leaving a giant zigzag scar on his head.

He is now training for a triathlon to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where doctors performed the life-saving surgery.

During surgery to save Daniel’s life in 2012, doctors had to painstakingly disassemble Daniel’s skull and rebuild it piece by piece and reconstruct it like a jigsaw puzzle. The procedure drilled a hole in Daniel’s head so that the skull could reattach as he aged. The surgery left a giant zigzag scar on his head (pictured)

Daniel (pictured) fully recovered after surgery. Derby County fan is training for a triathlon to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where doctors are performing life-saving surgery.

Children’s skills often have small spaces between the bones so that as the skull grows, it can make room for the brain.

However, in patients with craniosynostosis, one or more of these openings may fuse prematurely, limiting skull growth.

Doctors do not know what causes the condition, which affects about one in 2,500 to 3,000 children. Boys are three times more likely than girls to develop craniosynostosis.

Daniel’s mother, Victoria, 38, a beautician, said: “We were told that his brain was going to grow but the skull would compress his brain because there was no room for his brain to grow with the skull – yes. It melted away too quickly”.

Doctors performed grueling nine hours of surgery a week after her first birthday.

Ms. Bradly: “Surgeons dissected the skull and removed the brow bones by bringing the forehead above the head.

“He would have died without the surgery.

Fortunately, the surgery was successful and she has been able to lead a normal life since then. He woke up a few hours after the operation.’

Daniel now plans to complete a triathlon next month to raise money for the hospital performing the life-saving surgery.

“I had the idea to do a triathlon to thank the doctors and help the other kids in the hospital,” she said.

A GoFundMe page created by Daniel’s family with a goal of £1,000 has raised around £3,500 so far.

The money will go towards medical research, the purchase of new hospital equipment and improving the well-being of patients and staff, as well as the Ronald McDonald Housing Charity, where Daniel’s family stayed during his hospital stay.

On April 24, Daniel will swim 500 meters with his best friend Finley Whysall, run three miles, and run six miles around Shipley and Alfreton.

Daniel said he was inspired to complete the fitness competition after watching the Tokyo Olympics last year.

A Derby County fan said, “I told my mom I was going to do a triathlon for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where they looked after me as a kid.

“I trained at my local pool and they found a job just for me.

Daniel now plans to complete a triathlon next month to raise money for the hospital performing the life-saving surgery. On April 24, Daniel will swim 500m with his best friend Finley Whysall, run 3 miles and run 10km around Shipley and Alfreton.

“We also competed, although not very much, because we want to save ourselves for the event day.

“All of our teachers, family and friends have been very helpful and I am very happy with the money we have raised so far. I appreciate it.

“Right now I really like to train, I want to be a football player but I’m thinking of doing more triathlons.

“I’ll probably get some rest after this triathlon, but I want to do more in the future.”

Ms. Bradly said it was “beyond her pride” that Daniel “really enjoyed the workout”.

He said: “We are so grateful to everyone who helped and everyone who looked after Daniel when he was a kid.

“We can’t thank them enough and all the donations have taken us by surprise.

“With the support of everyone who donated for their triathlon, the money goes to a great place and a good cause.

“Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald Housing Charity supported us when Daniel was going through tough times, and that’s how Daniel thanked you.”