NC teen who lost leg in shark attack endures 14-hour surgery to repair hands

PITT COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina teen who lost her leg after being bitten by a shark has now gone through a 14-hour surgery to repair her hands.

It is one of several surgeries Paige Winter needed since the attack last weekend.

Winter was bitten on last Sunday at Fort Macon State Park. She was rushed to the hospital but doctors had to amputate her left leg above the knee. She also had multiple hand injuries.

[RELATED: New Bern teen's leg amputated after shark attack]

In addition, according to a Facebook post by East Carolina Brace & Limb in New Bern, all of her prosthetic and orthotic interventions will be free of charge.

The post said Paige will have the highest level of 3D scanning and manufacturing coupled with state-of-the-art designs, including bionic technologies.

Below is a press release from Vidant Health from Tuesday.

Family of Paige Winter:

"We are pleased to share that Paige is resting well after returning to the operating room at Vidant Medical Center on June 4, 2019. While we understand she will require additional operations, our Paige is a fighter. Her courageous spirit continues to be a beacon of light for all of us. As we continue on this journey, please know we appreciate the prayers, love and support we have received from across the world. We can’t wait for Paige to show you how bright her star shines."

Eric Toschlog, MD, FACS, FCCM:

"Paige Winter suffered significant injuries as a result of a shark attack on June 2, 2019. She was transferred emergently to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, N.C. via air ambulance, where a team of trauma surgeons was standing by for resuscitation and operative treatment of her wounds. She had significant damage to her left leg requiring amputation above the knee. She also suffered significant damage to both of her hands.

"On June 4, 2019 Paige returned to the operating room where her hand wounds were cleaned and evaluated for further damage by plastic surgery. In addition, the trauma team performed a closure of her amputation.

"While her hand injuries will require additional operations, as of today, she remains in good condition.

"As a Level I trauma center, Vidant Medical Center is well equipped to treat severe injuries such as those suffered by Paige.

"I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary courage and resilience demonstrated thus far by Paige and her family."

WSOC