Former President Donald Trump is confronting the aftermath of an assassination attempt that has left him with a significant injury to his right ear, requiring potential surgery costing up to $10,000.
The incident occurred during a rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend, where Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, narrowly escaped with his life but suffered a substantial loss of tissue from his ear due to a gunshot.
Dr. Dennis Dass, a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California, commented on the complexity of Trump’s injury, noting that while ear reconstruction can be intricate depending on the extent of damage, repairing the upper third of the ear is comparatively straightforward.
“In an ear reconstruction, particularly in the upper third, we can typically achieve good results,” Dr. Dass explained to DailyMail.com. He indicated that the procedure, known as a helical advancement flap, involves removing damaged tissue and scar tissue before repositioning healthy skin and cartilage to restore the ear’s natural form.
Following the attack, Trump’s ear was immediately bandaged to control intermittent bleeding, a measure expected to continue for several days. Physicians attending to Trump also likely administered antiseptics to minimize infection risks.
Dr. Dass emphasized that unless Trump chooses to retain his injury as a visible emblem, reconstructive surgery may be necessary. This procedure, Dr. Dass detailed, is performed under local anesthesia and involves careful manipulation of surrounding tissue to cover the damaged area, promoting both cosmetic and functional recovery.
While the full extent of Trump’s injury and subsequent medical decisions remain undisclosed by his camp, Dr. Dass expressed optimism about achieving a favorable outcome. He acknowledged the potential for minor scarring but emphasized the procedure’s goal of restoring Trump’s ear to its pre-injury state.
Despite the traumatic nature of the incident, medical professionals believe Trump’s campaign activities will be minimally affected by the recovery process. Concerns regarding potential hearing impairment resulting from the gunshot have not been addressed by Trump or his medical team.
Dr. Dass, who has experience in reconstructive surgeries for various ear injuries, including those from trauma and cancer treatment, remains hopeful for Trump’s recovery. Reflecting on the unfortunate circumstances, he conveyed his well wishes for the former president’s swift recuperation and a successful cosmetic outcome.
In more severe cases, Dr. Dass noted, additional surgical interventions might be required, such as wedge closure or local skin flap procedures, depending on the extent of damage sustained.
The incident marks a significant challenge for Trump, whose political engagements may necessitate ongoing medical attention and recovery measures to ensure optimal health and appearance in the coming weeks.