Doctor: Badly Burned Boy Still Critical After Surgery
Teen recovering after pack of teens set him ablaze
NBCMiami.com
Michael Brewer
The doctor for 15-year-old Michael Brewer said the badly-burned teen remains in critical condition today, still breathing with the help of a respirator after undergoing skin-graft surgery.
"This is going as well as it can be hoped to go," said Dr. Nicholas Namias, director of the burn center at Jackson Memorial hospital, where the teen is recovering.
Brewer was viciously attacked last Monday in Deerfield Beach by a group of teens who poured rubbing alcohol on him and set him ablaze after a dispute over a $40 video game.
He suffered burns on nearly 70 percent of his body, including his arms, legs, back, stomach, neck and scalp.
The surgery was performed earlier this week to his arms, legs and stomach, according to Namias.
Namias said Brewer was lucky in that his face and top of his hands weren't burned in the attack.
"Those are very important areas when you relate with people," said Namias, adding that he believed the scalp was going to recover.
Brewer suffered severe respiratory failure, and is taking lots of pain medication.
"He's still heavily sedated, he's still responsive," Namias said.
The doctor added that Brewer's body is severely swollen, but that he has been able to communicate with his family through "a move of a body part, squeeze of a hand."
Namias said Brewer could be in the hospital for many weeks or months.
Posted Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 - 12:13 PM EST
