Ben's facial surgery successful

The PG reports good news for Ben from the Mercy facial surgeons:

Speaking for the medical team Dr. Daniel Pituch, chief of Mercy's division of oral and maxillofacial surgery, said that Roethlisberger's brain, spine, chest and abdomen appeared to be without serious injury and, at this time, there were no other confirmed injuries from the accident. The procedure took about seven hours and all the facial fractures were successfully repaired, he said.

and neurosurgeon Dr. Jack Wilberger, chairman of neurosurgery at Allegheny General Hospital:

The best-case scenario is for Mr. Roethlisberger to leave the hospital in several days, continue his recovery at home, and be able to play football this fall, Dr. Wilberger said.

But the progress he makes in the first 24 hours will determine if other injuries, initially undetected, could cause more significant health problems for the Steelers quarterback, he said.

Ben's not out of the woods yet, but these initial reports are quite favorable.