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