Italian neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero, who announced his plan of performing the first ever head transplant in the world, delivered a speech presentation on Friday, June 12, 2015 at the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons conference. American neurosurgeon delegates, including the 30-year-old Russian man named Valery Spiridonov, who volunteered for his project, eagerly listened to what he had to say. The American doctors have varied reactions.
Canavero presented for 2.5 hours the techniques he would perform to save a damaged spinal cord, which is a crucial part of the head transplant surgery and any other surgeries of such kind. He explained that the main tools for the operation are nano-blade and polyethylene glycol, which will be used to cut the cord and swiftly restore the interrupted nerve fibers respectively. Questions were raised after the presentation, particularly how the brain could survive for minutes without continuous blood supply.
Jerry Silver, a neuroscience professor at Case Western Reserve University, expressed his concern about the challenges of reestablishing spinal connections. He particularly mentioned about the difficulty of restoring the vagus nerve, which is an essential component in maintaining heart rate and regulating digestive processes.
Marc Stevens, an orthopedic surgeon, said that the entire presentation was intriguing but for him, treating injuries of the spinal cord should be more studied rather than trying a head transplant surgery.
Before the speech, Raymond Dieter, a cardiothoracic surgeon and former president of the US chapter of International College of Surgeons, told NBC News that Canavero has stimulated the world.
"Technically, we can cut your head off. We can attach the skin. We can hook up the arteries. We can hook up the nerves. But can you hook up the brain and spinal tissue?" he said. "In three to five minutes, if we don't have circulation back to your brain, you're dead. When you look inside the skull, it's mush."
Nevertheless, Dieter said he was pleased to hear what Canavero had to say.
In the end, Canavero asked Americans to make their contributions. "Let's suspend all judgment," he said. "What you have been taught is wrong. I am asking you, Americans, to make your contribution. I have a detailed plan to do it."
He is looking at billionaires to support the continuance of his project.
Canavero dubbed his head transplant project as HEad Anatomosis VENture, or "Heaven," which he plans to carry out either in the US or in China. The Russian man who agreed to have his head transplanted to a new body has a Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, which is muscle-wasting disorder.
Reports claiming that "Heaven" is one major marketing stunt to promote a new video game that have also surfaced. The video gaming world was stunned about the striking similarities of Canavero and the doctor, who presented the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain trailer, according to Kotaku UK. The buzz started in the forum NeoGAF, when one member posted the photos of the two personalities being compared.
Speculations started to rise, including one that pointed out to the statement previously made by Metal Gear head, Hideo Kojima. "The next project will challenge a certain type of taboo. If I mess up, I'll probably have to leave the industry. However, I don't want to pass by avoiding that. I turn 47 this year. It's been 24 years since I started making games. Today, I got an ally who would happily support me in that risk. Although it's just one person. For a start, it's good."
Photo: University of Liverpool Faculty of Health & Life Sciences | Flickr
