Italian Man's Paralyzed Hand May Regain Function After Innovative Nerve Transfer Surgery
In a groundbreaking surgical procedure, an Italian man has the potential to regain the use of his paralyzed hand through a nerve transfer from his foot. Marcello Gaviglio, a 55-year-old healthcare worker, lost the functionality of both his hands and had to undergo a partial leg amputation following a severe road accident five months ago.
The surgery, performed at a hospital in Turin, involved utilizing nerves from Gaviglio's partly amputated leg, with the aim of redirecting their control to his paralyzed hand. The operation, which took place on December 21, was the first of its kind to transfer a component of the sciatic nerve to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves in the shoulder responsible for transmitting movement and sensory signals from the spinal cord to the arms and hands.
Dr. Paolo Titolo, one of the micro-surgeons and neurosurgeons involved in the pioneering procedure, expressed optimism about Gaviglio's potential for hand control recovery. Although the patient is currently unable to utilize his hand, Titolo believes that, with time and rehabilitation, Gaviglio may gradually regain control. The healthcare worker will undergo five months of post-operative care to facilitate his recovery.
The surgeons explained that Gaviglio would initially attempt to move his hand by focusing on his "ghost" foot, training the brain to associate foot movements with hand actions. Over time, it is expected that Gaviglio will be able to move his hand solely by concentrating on the hand itself. Titolo emphasized the remarkable adaptability of the human brain, highlighting the potential for this procedure to expand our understanding of brain plasticity.
If successful, this groundbreaking surgery would mark the first instance where a nerve responsible for controlling one part of the body is repurposed to control another. Dr. Titolo believes that this pioneering procedure not only offers hope for patients like Gaviglio but also opens up new avenues for neuroscientific research and the exploration of brain plasticity.
Sources: News Agencies