Sunday, October 18, 2009

Growth of Facial Bone from Repurposed Fat Cells

"Surgeons report success in first human bone growth procedure using fat stem cells--with no culturing necessary."

This is important research for injured combat veterans to be aware of, especially given the nature of the injuries incurred in the current conflicts.

Full Article at: Stem Cells from Fat Used to Grow Teen's Missing Facial Bones
By Katherine Harmon
October 15, 2009
CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

"Stem cells so far have been used to mend tissues ranging from damaged hearts to collapsed tracheas. Now the multifaceted cells have proved successful at regrowing bone in humans. In the first procedure of its kind, doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center replaced a 14-year-old boy's missing cheekbones—in part by repurposing stem cells from his own body.

The technique, should it be approved for widespread use, could benefit some seven million people in the U.S. who need more bone—everyone from cancer patients to injured war veterans."