Man left with half his skull missing following assault in Derbyshire has it rebuilt with plastic

Braden Stromberg, 27, almost died after he was punched to the ground during a sickening attack on May 2 last year.

He was left with a bleed on the brain and spent 15 days in a coma after being assaulted from behind by thug Kyle Stephenson in Bolsover.

Doctors had to remove the right side of his skull before he went on to make a miracle recovery which stunned medics at the time.

But his life was put on hold after he was forced to wear a helmet to shield his unprotected brain and lived in fear a single knock to the head could kill him.

Following a wait of over a year, Braden has now undergone pioneering surgery to reconstruct his head shape using a polycarbonate moulded to the shape of his skull.

The grounds worker says he's looking forward to returning to work and leading a normal life again following months of being at risk of death just doing day-to-day activities.

Braden, from Clipstone, said: "It feels incredible. I'm astounded by how it looks. I've basically got my head back.

“I've been in a limbo for 14 months waiting for a surgery date and to get back on the mend and back to work - and now I finally can.

“Before a cupboard door left open could have ended my life. I was at risk all the time but this gives me a new lease of life.

“It's awe-inspiring really to see that I've got my regular head shape back. I was always worried about it not looking how it did before.

"But it’s looking pretty much the same now.

“My mum will constantly glance over at me and look at it. She's still getting used to seeing me in my head again.

"It gives me a sense of normality again, I can now look in the mirror and not feel self-conscious."

Braden underwent the four hour long operation at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital on July 26 and was back at home recovering just two days later.The polycarbonate plastic is held in by screws into Braden’s skull and over a hundred staples which will be removed once the skin has healed over the mould.

He added: “Hats off to the surgeon, he did a really good job. Where the ridge of the skull there’s no joining line whatsoever.

“I was only in hospital for two days when it should have been five. They gave me a certain hair wash to make sure it says clean.

“They said it was a polycarbonate composite. It was supposed to be titanium originally but they decided to go for the polycarbonate.

“I'm having the staples taking out in two days. The bone continues to grow and it grows over the polycarbonate and fixes the skull.

“Human bodies are amazing really.

“Apart from the side effects of the initial brain injury like dexterity and balance issues, I'm good. I'm dying to get back to the gym and work."

Braden was attacked from behind by Stephenson, of Ilkeston, as he walked to the shops after work with his then girlfriend.

He was knocked unconscious after being punched in the face before smashing his head on the road which left him with severe brain swelling.

Braden was rushed to hospital where doctors battled to save his life by removing part of his skull during a gruelling three hour operation.

Stephenson, 32, later admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was jailed for one year and ten-and-a-half months in February

However, he walked free from prison after serving just four months of his sentence.

Braden said at the time: "I feel like it's robbed me of justice. Four months isn't even enough time for a house plant to grow. It's ridiculous.

"He nearly ended my life and now he’s out free and he has absolutely no remorse."

He also told previously how doctors had told him it was a miracle that he had survived the attack.

He said: "Every doctor I have spoken to has said how lucky I am to not have woken up from the coma paralysed or in a vegetated state.

"They can’t believe it. There might be an inch of spinal fluid where my skull has been removed and then it’s just my brain unprotected.

“Everyone has been pretty traumatised by what happened especially my mum and my ex-girlfriend."