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  • From: Tvoivozhd <tvoivozd AT infionline.net>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Homestead] Stem Cell treatment of paraplegics
  • Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 14:55:00 -0700

In Europe, naturally, have to get as far away as possible from that idiot in the White House.



The Treatment

Reconstructive Surgery

Is There a Cure for Paralysis?



In short, the answer is “yes.” The International Spinal Cord Regeneration Center has been successfully treating spinal cord injury since 1991. However, there are many factors involved in successful recovery, which the following information will explain.



Generally speaking, our patients have suffered from a traumatic injury in which the spinal cord has been crushed severely or partially cut, but not transected (i.e., cut completely.) Often the spinal column has been damaged as well. The resulting compression upon the cord has resulted in paralysis that many would consider to be “complete.” That is, prior to surgery, there was essentially no sensation or movement in areas below the injury site. Additional common causes of compression to the cord are scarring tissue, cysts or bullet and bone fragments.



The two prognostic features common to all of these patients is that the cord itself has not been transected. That is, there is some percentage of the original neural fibers remaining to form a “bridge” across the injury site. Second, the dura sac or sheath surrounding the spinal cord must have remained intact, allowing for the flow and integrity of the spinal fluid along the full length of the spinal cord. When these two essential conditions are met, the healing program offered by the ISCRC is the most successful in the world today.



Description of the Procedure



The medical procedure was developed and refined by Dr. Fernando Ramirez del Rio , medical director of the ISCRC. He is an orthopedic surgeon with credentials obtained in Mexico, the United States and London . The procedure is a combination of three techniques utilized in Europe for several decades. It is the combination of these techniques that produces the positive results, with each being essential but none alone being sufficient.



The spinal cord decompression and spinal canal remodeling surgery, which typically lasts eight to twelve hours, is conducted by Dr. Ramirez in tandem with Dr. Carlos Romero Gaitán, ISCRC chief neurosurgeon and department chairman of neurosurgery at the Autonomous University of Baja California, along with several additional surgeons and anesthesiologists familiar with neural trauma.



During the surgical procedure, the spinal cord itself is repaired utilizing microsurgical techniques. These include removing all bone and other fragments that may be pressing against the cord, removing scarring tissue from the injury site, and draining cysts that may have developed following injury. When needed, a specialized shunt developed by Dr. Romero Gaitán is placed within the cyst to drain developing plasma away from the cyst into the peritoneum for elimination.



The damaged spinal column is then reconstructed and strengthened utilizing advanced orthopedic procedures.



Finally, embryonic cell cultures from the blue shark, developed by Dr. Wolfram W. Kuhnau, are injected within the dura mater at the injury site. The embryonic cells eventually form a matrix or infrastructure that can accommodate neural transmissions when stimulated. The xenotransplants result in much of the recovery of sensation, control of bodily function and movement observed as a growth process in our patients over time. Even immediately following surgery patients often report the recovery of several centimeters of sensation below the injury site. Initial recovery from the surgery usually requires four to six days.



How Much Time for Total Recovery?



The remaining recovery occurs over time and depends in part on the injury level. The most serious cases might need to continue therapy from four to six years. It requires periodic injections of embryonic spinal cord and brain stem cell culture, nerve growth factors and scarring inhibitors. 4-AP and Creatine Cystretinoicacid are also included in the medical regimen.

The blue shark embryo was chosen for two reasons: It has an uncommonly strong immune system and its gestation period is nine months, similar to humans. Embryonic cells rather than fetal cells are utilized because they are not rejected by the host.



The post-surgical procedure emphasizes a strong rehabilitation and physical therapy program to strengthen supporting muscles and to retrain neural pathways.



A psychological support program is considered to be an essential part of the therapeutic process. Creative powers of the mind can be utilized on behalf of recovery. Because family members and loved ones are impacted by the injury and play an important role in recovery, family psychosocial support is also provided.




Positive Results



The results are very encouraging. A number of our paraplegic patients are now walking. The quadriplegic patients treated to date are each making substantial progress. Patients in earlier stages of recovery are regaining sensation and control of bodily function. All are in the process of seeing significant improvement. None have had regression due to the surgical procedure or xenotransplants.



Although the procedure has not yet been evaluated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), it is nonetheless conducted with the utmost medical care and is evaluated with the highest ethical standards. It should also be noted, due to the conservative nature of the initial medical evaluation, that not everyone qualifies for the procedure.



Post Surgery Treatment

At the time of the surgery the surgical team implants embryonic cells into the spinal cord, which starts the regeneration process. One treatment is not enough to regenerate the damage that has been done. We recommend the patient return to our office every two months for additional embryonic cell transplants. The speed of recovery depends on the level of the injury and how frequently the patient comes in for embryonic cell therapy. Someone that is a C5 has a longer period of recovery than that of a L2.

During the bimonthly visit, the physicians will evaluate the patient to see how much progress has been made and, if necessary, adjust treatments protocols. The patient will be able to chart their progress in a relatively short time. We have had many patients notice immediate improvements the day after the surgery.

It should be noted that a comprehensive physical rehabilitation program is essential for patient recovery during all phases of post surgical treatment.



What The Treatment Includes

The treatment program includes the following procedures:

* Initial Consultations
* Pre-Surgery Examinations
* Electromyography Test - Pre-Operative
* Peripheral Nerve Velocity Conduction - Pre-Operative
* Reconstructive Micro Surgery on the Spinal Column
* Orthopedic Reconstructive Surgery on the Spinal Column
* Embryonic Cell Transplants During the Surgery
* Hospitalization for Approximately 7 to 10 days
* Medications while Hospitalized
* Post-Surgery Follow-up Examinations
* Embryonic Cell Transplants over the course of the treatment, administered every two weeks
* Electromyography Test - Post-Operative
* Peripheral Nerve Velocity Conduction - Post-Operative



How to reach International Spinal Cord Regeneration Center
International Spinal Cord Regeneration Center

P.O. Box 451
Bonita, California 91902

Email: Send email


To receive additional information call
(619) 463-5350 FAX (619) 460-2699
Ask for Dr. Robert Lewis

ISCRC Office Phone (011 52 66) 83-29-44






  • [Homestead] Stem Cell treatment of paraplegics, Tvoivozhd, 08/29/2004

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