How Is a Skull Fracture Treated? Paul Pelosi’s Injury Explained
Paul Pelosi #PaulPelosi
Paul Pelosi, husband of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing surgery to treat a skull fracture after being attacked with a hammer Friday morning in the couple’s home in San Francisco, California.
According to a release from Speaker Pelosi’s office, Paul Pelosi, 82, “underwent successful surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arms and hands” at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
The University of Cincinnati Health Center (UC Health) says that a skull fracture, or a break in the skull bone, can be mild and cause few problems over time. However, severe breaks to the skull can lead to bleeding, brain damage and seizures.
UC Health’s website also says that treatment for a skull fracture can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Serious breaks to the skull may result in immediate surgery.
The severity of Paul Pelosi’s injuries are unclear at this time.
Some skull fracture patients are also provided with medication to help prevent infection or seizures after treatment, UC reports, and injuries should be watched carefully in case new symptoms, such as nausea or headache, appear later.
According to the neurosurgery department at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, there are four different types of skull fractures that vary depending on severity and type of break in the bone. A break that results in depression of the skull where parts of the bone are sunken inward may require surgical intervention, according to the health center’s website.
“The Pelosi family is immensely grateful to Mr. Pelosi’s entire medical team and the law enforcement officers who responded to the assault,” read the release from the House speaker’s office. The family is also asking for privacy at this time.
Nancy Pelosi’s team said the assailant attacked her husband “with force, and threatened his life while demanding to see the Speaker.” Police reported that the suspect broke into the Pelosi residence early Friday morning.
The Speaker was not home at the time, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
Police have arrested David Depape, 44, in the attack, charging him with elder abuse, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted homicide.
San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said in a press conference Friday that officers responded to the Pelosi residence around 2:30 a.m. “The suspect pulled the hammer away from Mr. Pelosi and violently assaulted him with it. … Our officers immediately tackled the suspect, disarmed him, took him into custody, requested emergency backup and rendered medical aid,” Scott said.
Paul Pelosi Attack Suspect Charged With ‘Several’ Felonies: Police
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Newsweek has reached out to Pelosi’s office for continued updates on Paul Pelosi’s status.
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