Italians in Russia: tracheal and laryngeal bioprosthesis
In Krasnodar, a patient was transplanted a tracheal and laryngeal bioprosthesis based on stem cells
Its formation began in the bioreactor and should be completed in the patient's body.
The first tracheal and laryngeal transplant operation in the Russian Federation was successfully performed at the Krasnodar Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 named after Ochapovsky. The surgical intervention was performed by Paolo Macchiarini, Professor of Regenerative Surgery at the Karolinska Institute, and Vladimir Prokhanov, Head of the Department of Oncology and Thoracic Surgery at Kuban Medical University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
A bioprosthesis based on a frame of nanocomposite material seeded with the patient's own stem cells isolated from bone marrow was used for transplantation. Such an artificial organ is an exact copy of the trachea and part of the larynx of the patient. Its transplantation, unlike the transplantation of donor organs, is not associated with the risk of rejection reaction.
The work on seeding the frame with stem cells was carried out in the laboratory of KKB No. 1. Immediately before the operation, the organ was placed in a specially made bioreactor for 48 hours. During this time, the basis of the bioprosthesis was formed, which then "ripens" in the patient's body. At the same time, as the developers of the technology specify, the transplanted organ itself begins to adapt to new conditions.
The candidates for surgery – patients with extensive tracheal injuries formed as a result of injuries – were selected in February of this year after discussion at an international video consultation, which was attended by thoracic surgeons of the KKB No. 1 (Krasnodar), GU of the Russian Scientific Center of Surgery. Petrovsky RAMS (Moscow), Karolinska Institute (Sweden), the Carreggi Clinic of the University of Florence (Italy) and the University of Texas Clinic (USA).
The first patient, 33–year-old Yulia T. from St. Petersburg, became a victim of a serious car accident a year and a half ago. The scarred tracheal stenosis formed as a result of the injury caused difficulties with breathing and speech. Several surgical interventions not only failed, but also worsened the patient's condition. The only chance for recovery and a full life for her was an artificial organ transplant using an innovative technique.
The operation, which lasted five and a half hours, was successful. Already in the operating room, the patient was able to say a few words – she thanked Professor Macchiarini for finally being able to play and talk with her little son. Specialists from leading medical institutions in Russia, Norway, Germany and the USA watched the surgical intervention via video link.
The author of the technique of creating and transplanting an artificial trachea, Professor Macchiarini, has currently performed more than 10 such operations. Initially, he used a donor organ carcass cleaned of his own cells for transplantation. One of these operations was performed in December 2010 at the Russian Scientific Center of Surgery named after Petrovsky. In the last three operations, including the operation in Krasnodar, an artificial frame was used.
The frames for the operations performed by Macchiarini are manufactured by Nanofiber Solutions (USA). "Personal" bioreactors for populating skeletons with stem cells of patients – by Harvard Biosciences (USA).
In 2011, Paolo Macchiarini, together with Kuban State Medical University and KKB No. 1, won a mega-grant from the Government of the Russian Federation for the implementation of a research, clinical and educational project in the field of respiratory tract and lung regeneration, the result of which should be the creation of Russia's first international center for regenerative medicine.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru22.06.2012