McAllen Surgeon First in Valley to Use Adult Stem Cells in Back Surgery |
|
New technology eliminates moral dilemma, creates perfect patient matches
(McAllen, TX August 8, 2008) — A McAllen doctor has begun using adult stems cells in spine surgeries, and calls the new technique the first major breakthrough in the industry in more than 100 years.
Dr. Ray R. "Trey" Fulp, III, a Spine and Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon with the South Texas Back Institute of McAllen, recently began utilizing a new procedure that uses stem cells from a patient’s own body to accelerate bone healing. The stem cells are harvested, concentrated and implanted back into the body to regenerate needed tissues, offering a new form of relief to patients with severe back pain.
“This is the first major breakthrough in more than 100 years in this industry,” Dr. Fulp said. “The fact that it utilizes adult stem cells – as opposed to embryonic cells – eliminates any moral dilemma. It is the magic bullet we’ve been searching for.”
The innovative procedure is referred to as FusionaryTM. Dr. Fulp is utilizing this new process created by Austin-based biomedical technology company, SpineSmith Partners LLC. SpineSmith designs, develops and markets implants and biologics for surgical fixation and correction and is leading the way in commercializing adult stem cell technologies for tissue regeneration.
|
Benefits
- A point-of-care process delivering autologous adult stem cells
- Multi-cell procurement: adipose tissue or bone marrow-derived cells
- Adult stem cells efficiently harvested during spinal procedure
- Concentrated delivery of adult stem cells through patented processes
|
|
|
Dr. Fulp is the first surgeon in the Rio Grande Valley use FusionaryTM and has performed approximately 15 procedures. Patients have already started lining up, with approximately five new patients a week slated to receive such surgery.
“The Fusionary system brings new hope to this field and I finally have an alternative tool that is a safe and effective option for my spinal procedures,” Fulp said.
The procedure takes place at the McAllen Medical Center, which is effectively establishing themselves as the leader of cutting edge surgical procedures that utilize a patient’s own adult stem cells to regenerate tissue notes Dr. Fulp.
Adult stem cells have the remarkable potential to differentiate and become new tissue forming cells in a variety of pathologies including bone, tendon, and cartilage and heart muscle. The potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine is virtually limitless and is being studied for a host of treatments throughout the world today. In addition, now the technology is available to procure adult stem cells from bone marrow and adipose tissue without challenging ethical issues associated with embryonic stem cells.
Disorders of the spine are one of the largest public health problems in the U.S., according to the World Research Group. As the population ages, incidents of spinal degeneration will likely continue to increase. This puts pressure on the healthcare system to maintain technological development and reduce the costs of procedures. The South Texas Back Institute recognizes this growing challenge and sees Fusionary system as a cutting edge solution.
Traditional fusion surgery often fails because there was not bone healing. This type of procedure holds promise because it optimizes the chances for bone healing without risking exposure to disease from cadaver bone or suffering injury from harvesting large amounts of bone from the hip.
by TB
This report is medical news and should not be regarded as medical advice |
|
|
