Science has advanced very much in the field of medicine with discoveries that give people another chance to live. In the past century, there have been many new inventions including new medicines, vaccinations and organ transplant in humans. However, the idea of a head transplant was only a mystery which was only seen in movies such as Frankenstein. Surprisingly, that fiction is about to become a reality in the near future. In the next year or two, Italian neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero is to perform the first ever human head transplant which will evolve science to new echelons. According to Canavero, the surgery is intended for those who have a fully functioning head, but endure a paralyzed body from the neck down due to some type of incurable disease or injuries suffered from accidents. The healthy head will be placed onto a healthy body of someone who is brain dead, and there is “90 percent” chance for the surgery to succeed. Similar to other complications, “of course there is a marginal risk” according to Sergio Canavero.
The surgery of head transplant never performed before, and with the risks being higher than any other normal standard operation, Valery Spiridonov, a Russian computer scientist is willing to be the first patient. Spiridonov suffers from a motor neuron disease called Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease, which leads to the shrinking of the muscles every day and can cause difficulties breathing and swallowing. Currently, there is no cure for the disease and the head transplant can be a potential cure in the near future. Head transplant can also be a cure for those suffering from spinal cord injuries due to accidents, such as car crushes, falling from heights and others.
Valery Spiridonov, first to be patient of head transplant
Photo Credit: Huffingtonpost, UK
The estimated time for the operation is about 36 – 72 hours, with about 80 surgeons involved, and the estimated cost to be about 11 million British Pounds which is $15 – 16 million US dollars. The procedure of the operation will involve, first cutting the head of the patient with a really sharp blade, then using special surgical glue called polyethylene glycol, to attach the head into the new body and then stitching up the blood supplies. Afterwards, the patient will be put into coma for about four weeks to allow the head to heal with the new body, and small electric shocks given in order to improve the flow of connection. After the patient wakes up, everything is expected to be normal such as the functioning of the senses and movement coordinations. If this operation succeeds, more people could experience a second chance at survival and a new life. For a detailed procedure, please read this.
Blood vessel connection
Photo credit: The Telepgraph, UK
In conclusion, I think head transplant operation is another step towards expanding science and with its success, it can give lots of people hope and perhaps a new life to look forward too.
For detailed information watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmGm_VVklvo
Video credit: Juanker52
- Hamed Hussaini, January 25th 2016
