They perform the first human vertebrate transplant in the world

For the first time in history since the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, located in Bologna, it was possible to replace part of the spine by four human vertebrae. "This operation saved his life," says the surgeon responsible for the intervention.

"We reconstruct the patient's spine in the most natural-conforming way, restoring perfect anatomy through the implantation of a bone of identical structure to that to which we had to withdraw because of of the tumor, "explained the director of vertebral surgery oncology. and degenerative Alessandro Gasbarrini in a press conference.

The intervention lasted about 12 hours and involved 20 people In the operating room.

The patient of 77 years, who was suffering from chordoma (a form of bone cancer), is fine and was discharged, according to the surgeon, who also added, "He stayed with us for about a month. After the first 15 days of postoperative control, she was released and referred to another physiotherapy department, where she found her on the right track and able to lead as normal a life as possible. "

The intervention, which took place on 6 September, lasted approximately 12 hours and involved 20 people In the operating room, even a hundred were involved in the different phases before and after the operation.

"Replacing human tissue with human tissue is generally better for the body, and that is also true for bones," explained Gasbarrini. "But this is not always the possible solution and, therefore, it is necessary to resort to implants made of artificial materials," said the surgeon. The vertebrae used were preserved and preserved in the skeletal muscle bank of the region.

Part of the patient's spine has been replaced by four human vertebrae and deserves to be underlined. This is an extraordinary and unprecedented opens up totally new perspectives for orthopedic surgery.