Man rebuilds nose ripped off by dog using bone from ribs & skin from arm

A US man has undergone a series of ten reconstructive surgeries after his dog attacked him during a seizure, resulting in the loss of his nose and significant facial damage. Ben Horne, who has battled epilepsy since his teenage years, agitated his dog during a seizure, leading to severe injuries including the loss of his nose, parts of his mouth, and chin, Metro reported.
Despite the shock and extensive injuries, Ben managed to call emergency services, resulting in a 10-hour emergency operation at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, to address his wounds.
"After one of my night seizures, my dog became frightened and inflicted significant damage to my face," Ben recounted. "My entire house was covered in blood. I dialed 999; though I couldn't speak well, I managed to convey the need for an ambulance."
Over the next five years, Ben underwent approximately ten surgeries using bone grafts from his ribs and skin grafts from his arm and forehead. These procedures aimed to reconstruct his nose and facial structure, helping him gradually come to terms with his altered appearance.
Ben, who lives in Yeovil, Somerset, emphasized the importance of sharing his story to provide encouragement and support to others facing similar challenges.
"When I woke up, a nurse said, 'I'm going to hand you a mirror, and it's going to be a big shock.' I couldn't quite believe the amount of damage. It was heart-breaking. I'm really trying to accept myself. It's learning to love yourself and the way you are rather than reflecting on how you used to be."
Following the November 2019 incident, Ben Horne sustained severe facial injuries, leaving his upper lip hanging, a significant portion of his chin lost, and only the septum bone remaining in his nose.
Recalling the immediate aftermath, Ben, an aerospace engineer, expressed profound distress: "I remember looking in the mirror and wishing I hadn't managed to call an ambulance. I couldn't imagine how I would live with what had happened."
Opting for reconstructive surgery, Ben underwent his initial procedure in May 2021 at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, which was delayed due to the pandemic. This involved creating a more substantial septum for his nose, though it collapsed before his subsequent operation in October 2021, where skin from his left forearm was used to reconstruct the inner part of his nose.
Reflecting on the challenges posed by his tattooed forearms, Ben remarked, "I had to choose which arm I preferred, as both are tattooed. At least I can say I have a tattoo inside my nose."
During the same surgery, bones from his ribs and an artery from his forearm were utilized to reconstruct his nose and connect it to his neck. Ben described this period as immensely difficult, navigating daily life with a "tattooed chunk" on his face that required daily makeup.
In September 2022, Ben underwent another operation where skin from his forehead was taken to cover the tattooed area. Describing the procedure, Ben recounted, "The forehead flap was massive on my face, with the skin left connected, creating a lump over my eyes."
Halfway through his treatments, Ben opted for private care, and a team of plastic surgeons from Exeter intervened. In March 2023, they performed a procedure using bone from his hip and rib cartilage to stabilize his forehead, replacing infected donor bone.
By May 2023, surgeons disconnected the skin from his forehead and continued refining the structure of his nose through subsequent surgeries. Ben still relies on plastic tubes to breathe, and the next challenge involves finding a solution that won't close his nasal passage.
While Ben is slowly accepting his altered appearance, he continues to cope with public scrutiny. "It's incredibly challenging when people stare for too long," he shared, describing the discomfort as akin to "being naked in public."
"They look at you like an object. It was a lot of embarrassment. I liken it to a dream where you are naked in public. You want to hide but you can't. You can't change things and what has happened," he added.