Rare surgery at Assuta: First-of-its-kind treatment for a young woman injured by an Iranian missile
A mother of children who was injured in Arad by an Iranian missile strike underwent a delicate microsurgical procedure to reconstruct facial nerves in an attempt to restore her facial symmetry and the ability to close her eye.
Four months after being injured by an Iranian missile strike in the city of Arad, a young mother recently underwent a complex and first-of-its-kind surgery at Assuta Ramat HaHayal for facial nerve reconstruction. During the procedure, it was discovered that several branches of the facial nerve had been severed by shrapnel. These branches were located and reconstructed using advanced microsurgical techniques, with the goal of restoring the patient's facial movement and affected functions.
The patient was injured in March 2026. Following the initial trauma, she was treated at another hospital, where she underwent urgent surgery to remove foreign bodies and close facial wounds. During her subsequent rehabilitation, she noticed that the right side of her face was not functioning correctly: her smile had become asymmetrical, her eyebrow would not lift, and her eye would not close completely.
She turned to Dr. Tal Kaufman Goldberg, an expert in plastic surgery and facial nerve reconstruction at Assuta Ramat HaHayal. After a series of examinations, it was confirmed that the shrapnel had caused significant damage to the facial nerve, which controls the muscles of expression.
Damage to the facial nerve has implications far beyond appearance: these muscles are responsible for closing the eye and protecting the cornea, and they are essential for eating, drinking, speaking, and emotional expression. Facial paralysis can significantly impact quality of life, self-confidence, and social interaction.
To prepare for the surgery, the team utilized advanced microsurgical equipment and a dedicated system for selective nerve stimulation, allowing them to map nerve activity during the procedure.
Dr. Tal Kaufman Goldberg stated:
"During the surgery, I found that all branches of the upper part of the facial nerve had been severed. Within the complex scar tissue, we managed to locate three nerve endings on each side of the injury and perform a reconstruction. This is a highly complex surgery, in a field where I completed a dedicated sub-specialization at Harvard in Boston."
Medical staff are now awaiting nerve regeneration. According to Dr. Kaufman Goldberg, the patient has a good chance of significantly regaining facial movement and function. The fact that she sought treatment four months post-injury was significant, as it remained within the window where reconstruction could offer a real chance for recovery.
"Unfortunately, since the beginning of the war, we are seeing more civilians dealing with complex head and face injuries from missile shrapnel. This case emphasizes that even when nerve damage is not diagnosed immediately, it is important to explore reconstruction options. For me, the ability to restore a person's smile is about much more than aesthetics. A smile is function, communication, and an expression of identity. When we succeed in restoring facial function, we return a significant part of a patient's life," she added.
The patient reflected on her experience after the surgery:
"After I was hit by the missile, my life changed beyond recognition. When I arrived at Dr. Kaufman's office, I didn't even know the source of the problem. She was the one who explained what happened and opened my eyes to the possibility of treatment. I know I am still dealing with the consequences, but I have great hope. It is important to me that others in a similar situation know that there are treatment options, that there is hope, and that it is worth inquiring and not giving up."
