VietNamNet Bridge - Spinal cord fusion operation remains an impossible mission, especially fusion to restore functions, according to Nguyen Tien Quyet, former director of the Vietnam-Germany Hospital, a leading expert in organ transplantation. 

Nguyen Tien Quyet, former director of the Vietnam-Germany Hospital,

Quyet, talking with reporters about the first head transplant operation case expected to be carried out on a Chinese patient in 2017, said this would be a very difficult operation and does not think it would have high success rate, though he believes scientists will be able to transplant heads in the future. 

According to Quyet, scientists still have limited knowledge about nerve cell’s operation while many issues remain controversial.

Scientists still have limited knowledge about nerve cell’s operation while many issues remain controversial.

“Humans may succeed with the process in the future, but it will take much more time to obtain success. Modern medicine still does not have thorough knowledge about the functions of the nerve system,” he said.

Scientists now can transplant liver, heart, lung, and kidneys. Surgeries are only implemented on humans after many successful experiments. And in these cases, it is just the simple connection of blood vessels.

“But this will be quite different with nerve cells. One needs to be very proficient in surgery,  and have deep knowledge about nerves,” Quyet commented.

To date, head transplantation remains a project on paper, with no experiment carried out. 

“Though I believe that humans will be able to transplant heads one day, it is still too early to believe in success,” he said.

In terms of medical morality, those who receive support in head transplants receive high consensus from voluntary donors. 

Regarding the first head transplantation surgery, slated for 2017, the surgeons said they will need ultra sharp blades and the magic element which can help untie the head and the body.

Experts believe that the magic element, in fact, is a type of "glue" called polyethylene glycol. It would be used to untie the signal cord of the head and the donor body.

Commenting about this, a neurologist surgeon said this glue has been used in many countries. In Vietnam in general and at the Vietnam-Germany Hospital in particular, the substance has also been used in some cases. However, this is not enough to ensure the success of the operation.

Deputy director of the Vietnam - Germany Friendship Hospital Dr Trinh Hong Son said that Vietnam may consider conducting head transplantation operations if the first operation slated for 2017 succeeds.

Son said at a meeting with the press that he would keep a close watch over the operation, and if it succeeds, Vietnam would invite the team of specialists carrying out the operation to Vietnam to transfer technology.

Dat Viet