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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