{"id":"2e7fa875-69a3-4015-82ed-605da559b93f","slug":"heterologous-spinal-cord-transplantation-in-man","title":"Heterologous spinal cord transplantation in man","authors":["Sergio Canavero","Xiaoping Ren","C-Yoon Kim"],"abstract":"Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) research has failed to deliver effective treatments for spinal paralysis despite decades of promising studies. The notion of replacing damaged spinal cord segments with healthy ones has historical precedence, yet significant obstacles remain to be addressed for successful transplantation. Summary: The editorial outlines the potential for heterologous spinal cord transplantation as a viable treatment for SCI. Key challenges include sourcing healthy spinal cord segments, ensuring proper integration with the recipient's nervous system, achieving microvascularization of the transplant, and managing immunological rejection. Advances in surgical techniques and protocols may facilitate these processes. Conclusion: A cure for spinal paralysis through heterologous spinal cord transplantation is conceivable, contingent upon overcoming existing barriers. The editorial calls for renewed efforts from the neurosurgical community to expedite the realization of this therapeutic approach. Keywords: spinal cord injury, transplantation, neurosurgery, immunology, microvascularization, rehabilitation, neuroregeneration","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/spine.png","publishDate":"2021-06-21T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_395_2021","categories":["Spine","Editorial"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/2e7fa875-69a3-4015-82ed-605da559b93f/pdf"}