Bills' Everett under sedation after spinal surgery

Sep 10, 2007, 21:45 GMT

Orchard Park, NY - Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett will spend the next 48 to 72 hours under heavy sedation while doctors evaluate the extent of a severe spinal injury that could leave him paralyzed.

Everett remains in the intensive care unit at Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital following a four-hour operation performed Sunday night after suffering a fracture dislocation of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae in a season-opening 15-14 loss to Denver.

The team held a press conference late Monday afternoon to provide a medical update on Everett's condition. Dr. Andrew Cappuccino, the attending orthopaedic surgeon, said Everett's injury was 'a potentially lethal and grave injury.'

'Kevin is not out of that danger now (of losing his life),' said Cappuccino. 'He is less in that danger than he was at the time of his injury or in the first several hours.'

Cappuccino also said an examination done about six hours after the surgery showed voluntary movement of Everett's legs, but cautioned that such a catastrophic injury can lead to respiratory collapse or other complications, including blood clots that can travel to the heart.

Everett sustained the injury when he ducked his head while tackling Denver's Domenik Hixon during the opening kickoff of the second half. Everett immediately dropped face first to the ground after his helmet hit Hixon on the left shoulder and side of the helmet.

Television replays showed Everett twitching for a few seconds after the hit, but he showed no further signs of movement during the next 15 minutes as the team's medical staff and emergency responders carefully placed him on a backboard, immobilized his head and body and loaded him into a waiting ambulance.

Before Everett was taken off the field, the Bills gathered together for a team prayer on his behalf.

According to the doctors, Everett did not have any movement below the shoulders, but had the ability to feel sensation all the way down to his feet upon arrival at the hospital.

The surgery on Everett's spine was done in two parts. The first involved the placement of a bone graft, small cage, a plate and four screws used to repair the fracture dislocation. The second, done at the base of the neck, included the placement of four screws and two small rods used to fixate the spine.

© 2007 The Sports Network