After three surgeries, NC teen shark victim 'amazes' doctors

“Kiersten continues to amaze her entire care team with her upbeat, can-do attitude, which is truly extraordinary for a girl her age given the trauma she experienced,” said Dr. Bill Adamson, surgeon-in-chief at UNC Children’s Hospital, in a statement. “There’s been no ‘why me’ or sulking, just a dogged determination to reestablish her independence and return to a normal life.”

Yow’s first two surgeries involved “operative debridement,” where surgeons removed dead and damaged tissue from her wounds and changed wound dressings. Yow had her first reconstructive surgery on Wednesday, where surgeons covered her leg wound with a skin graft and completed initial elbow reconstruction by reattaching tendons, the hospital said. Further reconstruction will occur within the next few weeks.

The shark bite to Yow’s rear upper thigh did not reach bone or nerves, the hospital said. Despite muscle loss, doctors said skin grafting will provide her with good function in her leg.

“With rehabilitative therapy, we anticipate she will remaster walking independently and even be able to exercise,” Adamson said.