Surgeons carry out first synthetic windpipe transplant

[Bosonic]

Source: BBC

Surgeons in Sweden have carried out the world's first synthetic organ transplant.

Scientists in London created an artificial windpipe which was then coated in stem cells from the patient.

Crucially, the technique does not need a donor, and there is no risk of the organ being rejected. The surgeons stress a windpipe can also be made within days.

The 36-year-old cancer patient is doing well a month after the operation.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14047670

[Snotcicles]

1. WOW. nt

[WatsonT]

2. Cool, this will help a lot of people

And frankly I've been coddling mine. Now that it's replaceable I think I'll really break it in.

[progressoid]

3. Is that really a transplant?

This is more of a replacement.

Regardless, it's pretty fu@#ing cool.

[izquierdista]

4. I can see a downside to this

Replacing people's parts with synthetic organs is going to run up insurance companies' loss reserves. Can't have that.

[stockholmer]

6. not here in Sweden, here we have universal health care, private health insurance firms are banned

USA needs the same!

[Posteritatis]

7. As if most US insurance companies would cover anyone who needs that surgery.. (nt)

[stockholmer]

5. Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset is a wonderful hospital, world class all around,and pure proof that

socialized medicine for all is not a choice between mediocre care and cutting edge. The US health care system is truly odious, and this case should be used to hammer the opponents of single payer.

[yurbud]

8. can they do this for bald guys yet?