site.btaBulgarian Snowboarder Malena Zamfirova Undergoes Six-Hour Surgery in Graz, Doctors Say It Went Well

Bulgarian snowboard star Malena Zamfirova has undergone major surgery in a hospital in Graz that lasted more than six hours, the Bulgarian Skiing Federation said Monday. The procedure concluded at around 3 pm local time.

Zamfirova was injured in the Czech town of Spindleruv Mlyn while preparing for the upcoming World Cup on March 3. She was hit in the back by a skier descending uncontrollably. As a result of the impact, she suffered multiple fractures and was taken by helicopter to a hospital. Doctors in Czechia performed several emergency surgeries to stabilize the snowboarder. Zamfirova is expected to be transferred by specialized transport to a clinic in Austria, where she will continue her treatment. 

Most of the surgical intervention focused on reconstructing Zamfirova’s shattered femur. Surgeons also stabilized her pelvis and removed the external fixators that had been used to keep the pelvis and thigh stable until the operation.

According to the chief surgeon, the complex procedure went very well.

A second surgical intervention, this time in the shoulder area, is scheduled to be performed later this week by another specialist, the Bulgarian Skiing Federation said.