November 25, 2024 – Serving in the 55th Brigade of the IDF’s 98th Division, Ayano Mamo sustained chest injuries twice over the past nine months – once in Gaza and once in Lebanon. His second injury required complex surgery, performed by Dr. Ori Haberfeld, a senior physician in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel, and a soldier in the same brigade. Mamo’s story symbolizes Israeli endurance and resilience – an unimaginable but optimistic tale.
Photo: (L) Ayano Mamo and (R) Dr. Ori Haberfeld Photography: Rambam HCC
While serving in the IDF as a master sergeant in the reserves, Ayano Mamo (37), married to Keren and the father of two children—a 12-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son—an education coordinator at Yemin Orde Youth Village outside of Haifa, suffered two chest injuries. Following the second one, he was rushed to Rambam with crushed ribs penetrating a lung. Using a relatively new technology, Dr. Ori Haberfeld (41), a soldier in the same brigade, replaced Mamo’s crushed ribs with titanium ones.
Although the technology for titanium rod implantation is well-established globally, it was only introduced in Israel about two years ago. Its use has increased over the past year due to the rising number of combat-related trauma injuries. More than 20 of these complex surgeries have been performed at Rambam.
The surgery lasted several hours and was performed through a small incision. First, accumulated blood was drained from the chest cavity, followed by suturing of tears in the lung caused by the bullet’s path as it entered the patient’s body. Titanium rods were then positioned and secured to the fractured rib stumps.
“This rib reconstruction technique involves measuring the fractured area of each broken rib and custom-fitting the titanium rods to each rib. This allows a symmetrical chest structure and reduces pressure caused by the factures on the nerves in the thoracic cavity,” explains Dr. Haberfeld, who underwent specialized training for this technique. “In Mamo’s case, the challenge was greater because his ribs were completely shattered. We had to rebuild and secure them in their normal anatomical structure, like assembling Legos.” Thanks to this new procedure, Mamo will regain functionality and be able to return to his routine, even while recovering. Haberfeld concludes, “The materials we use are flexible and breathable, mimicking natural ribs. The rods will remain in his body, enabling his ribs to recover and heal at their own pace.”
Photo: (L) Mamo's titanium ribs and (R) Mamo's crushed ribs before surgery Photography: Rambam HCC
Mamo, reflecting on the fact that his surgeon also served with him in the same unit, shares that there is a strong sense of family among the soldiers. It means a lot that they are all there for each other in their time of need.
Both physician and patient are optimistic. They say that meeting on opposite sides of the operating table closes a circle. Although Mamo has a long path ahead, Haberfeld expects that Mamo will be able to return to a pain-free life. Mamo concurs – he is looking forward to returning to everyday life at home.
“My role as a physician at Rambam and in the battlefield makes me a better doctor. It allows me to see the bigger picture and gain experience—it’s experience I wish I didn’t have to accumulate. But, unquestionably, it translates into saving lives and providing optimal care under any condition,” concludes Haberfeld.
On November 27, Haberfeld will be presenting this surgical procedure at a Rambam symposium dedicated to the memory of the legendary director of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Professor Lael Anson Best.