Stem Cell Treatment Saves Legs Of TAO Patients

Physicians in India were able to save the legs of critically ill patients facing amputation by injecting stem cells extracted from their own bone marrow. Thirty-nine patients suffering from thrombo angitis obliterance (TAO) and participating in a 60-patient clinical trial so far have avoided amputation. All of the participants in the trial are heavy smokers. Several patients who continued to smoke after their stem cell treatment lost their legs, according to physicians. “We have got very good results,” says Dr. K.S. Vijayaragavan. “The legs of 89 per cent of the patients have been saved.” The trial is being conducted at Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai.

By R. Prasad, “Bone marrow stem cell treatment saves legs”, August 4, 2009, The Hindu, ©The Hindu