Stem cell operation for the first time in Salem

Salem, Oct 22: First stem cell operation was conductwed at Manipal Hospital in Salem. Stem cell therapy for cervical cord injury was conducted on a 50-year-old patient who had sustained injuries in brain, bones in legs and the cervical cord in a road accident in Saudi Arabia about 6 months ago.

Also, the direct injection of experimental stem cells at C6-C7 segment of spinal cord was adopted for the first time in the country.A team of specialists led by Dr K Eliyas Basha, a senior consultant and neuro-surgeon examined the patient and noticed weakness in all four limbs. An MRI investigation revealed damage in lower Cervical Cord at C6 and C7.

The team decided to go for the Stem Cell Therapy after obtaining prior permission from the patient and relatives, who were provided all details about the surgery.

The team decided to inject the stem cells directly at C6 and C7 segments of the cervical cord by a open surgical procedure on spine. The operation lasted for less than an hour, which included three stages: bone marrow aspiration, stem cell cultivation and stem cell injection.

OneIndia News