Swedes implant stem cell vessel
Tuesday May 10th, 2011
Swedish doctors claim to have performed the world's first operation on a human using a blood vessel made from stem cells.
The
laboratory created blood vessel was implanted in a ten-year-old girl at
the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.
The new vessel was used in an operation which connected the liver with the intestines.
Doctors say it saved the girl's life as she had developed a blood clot, destroying the connection between the two organs.
The procedure involved taking a blood vessel from a donor, who had died. This was purged of the donor's genetic material and then seeded with bone marrow from the young patient.
It took four weeks to grow the new blood vessel.
Surgeon Professor Michael Olausson said: "We carried out the surgery over three months ago now, and the result was very good, with no serious complications.
"To our knowledge this is the first procedure of this type in the world."
He added: "The next step is to intensify research into the re-creation of other organs, and to develop methods that can be used for arteries.
"This can help, among others, patients who need dialysis and those needing surgery for the coronary arteries. It may also help those needing complete organs."
Tags: Europe | General Health | Internal Medicine
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