UCI Health neurosurgeon saves Disneyland tour guide with new procedure to repair her carotid artery

Dr. Li-Mei Lin, right, discusses how she repaired Abby Crain’s carotid artery at UCI Medical Center.

Photo credit:  Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG

IN THE NEWS: In January, Abby Crain was transported to the Level I trauma center at UCI Medical Center after suffering multiple broken bones in a near-head on traffic collision. While surgeons set her bones and put her on the road to recovery, UCI Health neurosurgeon Dr. Li-Mei Lin was concerned about damage to Crain's carotid arteries, including a 35-millimeter tear in one. The arteries, which supply blood to the brain, could rupture. On Monday, Lin and Crain, a 28-year old tour guide at Disneyland Resort, met with the Orange County Register to discuss the new procedure Lin used to repair the arteries and get Crain back on the roller coasters she loves.

Learn more

• O.C. Register: Disney tour guide will be back in the park soon, after UC Irvine surgeon uses new technique to prevent brain aneurysm ›
• UCI Health neurosurgeon first on West Coast to use new brain aneurysm stent ›
• UCI Health Neurosurgery Services ›