The body parts you didn't know could be transplanted
In light of the recent pandemic the medical industry’s importance has been valued higher than ever before. However, it is not only in the field of viruses and vaccinations this industry saves lives, procedures never thought possible are being performed on a daily bases around the world. Here are the three most sci-fi like procedures doctors have performed on their patients.
Heterotopic heart transplant – living with two hearts. This heart transplantation surgically inserts a donors heart to a patient who’s own heart has a shortage in capacity. Keeping the remaining heart as well as the donated one, the chances of the new heart functioning improves.
Brain implant – aiding patient with ALS to communicate using thoughts. An implant made up of probes types out the patients thoughts on a device after being operated in to the patients brain. This way the patient is able to communicate with his or her loved ones despite the challenges the diagnos brings.
Hand transplant – transplanting an entire body part. This procedure does just what it sounds like – a transplantation of one, or two, entire hands. It was recently performed for the first time in the nordic countries on Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden.