A police officer is shot point-blank in the face during a routine traffic stop, the .38 caliber bullet severing his internal carotid artery at the base of his skull. Most wouldn't survive this catastrophic injury, but at Emanuel Hospital—a place Dr. Bryce Potter describes as "a hard place to die"—something remarkable happens.

Dr. Bill Long is joined by Dr. Bryce Potter, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, as they take us through the harrowing case, revealing how innovative thinking saved this officer's life. When trauma surgeon Dr. John Zelko found himself literally holding back torrential bleeding with his finger, he made the crucial decision to call for help—an act that Dr. Long emphasizes is vital but sometimes prevented by ego in medical settings.

The solution? Dr. Potter improvised with bone wax and a muscle flap to permanently seal an un-repairable artery. Meanwhile, the team implemented their groundbreaking massive transfusion protocol, replacing the officer's entire blood volume multiple times during surgery using four specialized trauma nurses simultaneously administering blood components.

What truly sets this team apart is their philosophy of immediate intervention. "The patient is never more healthy than when they first present," Dr. Potter explains, challenging the standard practice of delaying facial fracture repairs. Their approach of immediate tracheostomy and fracture reduction not only stopped bleeding but dramatically shortened hospital stays and improved outcomes.

The police officer not only survived but eventually returned to active duty, despite the inevitable stroke. He had a permanent left hemiplegia resulting from the right carotid artery transection, and he underwent months of intensive rehabilitation. He is now confined to a wheelchair but is able to communicate orally with his devoted wife and family. His wife has worked out the logistics of transporting him in a vehicle to wherever they need and want to go. This case exemplifies how medical innovation comes not just from technology but from the willingness to challenge established protocols based on observed outcomes.

Join us to discover how these pioneering trauma techniques continue to influence trauma care of critically injured patients and why, sometimes, the most important medical tool is simply refusing to give up on a patient others might consider beyond saving.

To learn more about these life saving strategies and techniques, look for Dr. Long’s upcoming book, Flatline to Lifeline.

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Producer: Esther McDonald

Technical Director: Lindsey Kealey, of PAWsitive Choices

Editing and Post Production: Adam Scott of Atamu Media Productions

© Flatline to Lifeline 2025

In this compelling episode of Flatline to Lifeline, Dr. Bill Long welcomes his longtime colleague Dr. Bryce Potter, a remarkable specialist with dual MD and DMD degrees, to explore how specialized training and innovative systems change patient outcomes.

Dr. Potter represents a rare breed of medical professionals - at the time of his practice, he was one of only twelve people in the United States with his particular combination of training. This unique background allowed him to handle complex head and neck trauma cases that would typically require multiple specialists working in sequence. Together, Drs. Long and Potter revolutionized trauma care by breaking down the territorial barriers between medical specialties to create a truly patient-centered approach.

The heart of this episode examines a fascinating case study of a 70-year-old man who survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The bullet became lodged in his frontal sinus, creating a complex medical challenge that required innovative thinking and surgical expertise. The doctors discuss the critical decision-making process that took place, including the consideration of multiple surgical approaches and the necessity of having a "Plan B" when initial strategies prove impossible.

Most striking is their candid conversation about the psychological aspects of trauma medicine - how physicians respond differently to extreme stress, the dangers of perseveration and task fixation, and why some doctors struggle to adapt when faced with unexpected complications. This rare glimpse into the mindset of elite trauma specialists reveals why adaptability may be the most crucial skill in trauma care of critically injured patients and life-threatening emergency surgery.

Whether you're a medical professional seeking insights into trauma care or simply fascinated by remarkable human stories, this episode offers profound lessons about the systems and approaches that make unexpected survival outcomes possible.

Listen now to hear the full story of this amazing recovery. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to our show and leave us a review. To learn more about these life saving strategies and techniques, look for Dr. Long’s upcoming book, Flatline to Lifeline.

Special Guest Bio:

Dr. Bryce Potter, MD, DMD, is a board-certified surgeon in both Oral Surgery and ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat). He earned his dental degree from the University of Oregon Dental School and also received his medical degree and completed his ENT residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He gained extensive trauma experience at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and co-founded Head and Neck Surgical Associates in Portland, Oregon.

Follow us on X @DrLongPodcast

Producer: Esther McDonald

Technical Director: Lindsey Kealey, of PAWsitive Choices

Editing and Post Production: Adam Scott of Atamu Media Productions

© Flatline to Lifeline 2025

Every second counts when a young boxing champion collapses unconscious in the ring. With his brain hemorrhaging and pressure building inside his skull, his life hangs by a thread. This is the story of a race against time, innovative medical thinking, and the power of teamwork in trauma care.

Dr. Long takes us deep inside the intricate architecture of the human brain and its protective systems. We learn how the scalp, skull, dura, and meninges form layers of protection, but also create confined spaces where even small amounts of bleeding—as little as a shot glass worth—can trigger catastrophic pressure increases. When this happens, the brain has nowhere to go except through the small opening at its base, a life-threatening condition called brain stem herniation.

The young boxer's journey from ringside collapse to complete recovery showcases revolutionary approaches to trauma care. Rather than following conventional protocols, the trauma team performed resuscitation measures directly in the CAT scanner—saving precious minutes. Most dramatically, surgeons kept the patient's skull open for five days, allowing his swollen brain room to expand while they monitored intracranial pressure with exquisite precision.

Beyond the medical details, this episode reveals the challenging human dynamics of trauma care. Dr. Long shares how he learned to bring together specialists with different training backgrounds to function as a cohesive team. He explains why doctors respond differently under extreme pressure and the most adaptive approach to navigating trauma care.

The boxer's story ends with a complete recovery—college graduation, marriage, children—though wisely, he never returned to the ring. This remarkable outcome demonstrates why Dr. Long's guiding principle remains: when the need is greatest for the patient, saving time saves lives.

Listen now to hear the full story of this remarkable recovery. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to our show and leave us a review.

To learn more about these life saving strategies and techniques, look for Dr. Long’s upcoming book, Flatline to Lifeline.

Follow us on X @DrLongPodcast

Producer: Esther McDonald

Technical Director: Lindsey Kealey, of PAWsitive Choices

Editing and Post Production: Adam Scott of Atamu Media Productions

© Flatline to Lifeline 2025