A recent WCTV.tv interview discusses a new study for restoring bladder control in patients with spinal cord injuries.
The Xiao procedure, named for Professor Xiao, a urologist, splices a functioning nerve from the patient’s leg to the non-functioning one that is supposed to control bowel and bladder function.
The resulting ‘reflex arc’ allows an injured patient to regain control of the elimination process.
According to the WCTV.tv interview, Professor Xiao was able to restore up to 80% functionality in his Chinese patients.
If current and future studies find similar results without any prohibitive side effects, this procedure has the potential to greatly increase the quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries.
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A clinical trial to evaluate this procedure is currently being conducted at the All Children’s Hospital.