July 9, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Austin FraktI can think of a few heads I’d like to replace. It’s almost possible!
First, both patients must be in the same operating theater. Then the head to be transplanted must be cooled to between 12°C and 15°C (54.6°F and 59°F). Moving quickly, surgeons must remove both heads at the same time, and re-connect the head to be preserved to the circulatory system of the donor body within one hour. During the reconnection procedure, the donor body must also be chilled, and total cardiac arrest must be induced. […]
Connection of a spinal cord from the head of one creature to the body of another has never been attempted even in animals, so Canavero’s paper must be taken as an exercise in speculation.
What could possibly go wrong?
The cost, you wonder? An estimated $13 million. Oh, but the QALYs!
Medicare coverage decision pending. Download the full paper here.
Comments closed
by Dave on July 9th, 2013 at 14:04
Is this a head transplant, or a body transplant?
by Mike on July 9th, 2013 at 17:10
My head calls dibs on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s body.
by rjs on July 9th, 2013 at 20:10
Dr Robert White at CWRU successfully transplanted monkey heads over 40 years ago…the only reason he didnt do humans was that he was Catholic…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_transplant
by SBS on July 10th, 2013 at 12:39
This procedure is really ahead of its time