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Amazing Medicine: Doctors Grow Texas Soldier a New Ear

Amazing Medicine: Doctors Grow Texas Soldier a New Ear

Amazing Medicine: Doctors Grow Texas Soldier a New Ear 150 150 CMZ Law Lufkin/Houston

What medical advances can we anticipate in the next decade?

A 21-year-old US Army private is getting back something she never imagined could be returned—her left ear. Thanks to amazing medical advances, Shamika Burrage has successfully received an ear transplant through the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso. Burrage was involved in a serious car accident two years ago. She survived, but she suffered the loss of her left ear.

Now, the Army Medical Center has used cartilage from Burrage’s ribs to make a new ear which was then grown under her skin on her forearm. The new procedure used to create the ear has several major advantages, including less chance of rejection or scarring. It represents a major step forward in transplant medicine, which could be life saving for car accident victims, soldiers, and many others.

Evolving Medicine

Physicians and researchers across the nation devote their lives to the development of new medicines, surgeries, and treatment options to improve the lives of patients. With each new technological advance, people across the world are living longer and healthier lives. Some major medical advances that we will soon see include:

Bioprinting

One of the next major breakthroughs in the realm of transplant surgeries will be bioprinting. Three-dimensional printing is advancing to the point that doctors will soon be able to print fully functioning organs. Thus far, 3D printers can already print flat body parts, like blood vessels and skin, as well as hollow organs, like the bladder. As the technology increases, the future will hold 3D printed complex organs, like the heart, lungs, liver, and much more.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy uses genes to treat or prevent disease. It involves the transplantation of normal genes into cells that are defective or in place of missing cells. Gene therapy has long been considered controversial, but recently the FDA recommended approving the treatment for those with some inherited retinal diseases. This could be the first step towards wider acceptance of gene therapy, which could potentially be used to treat a wide array of both inherited and acquired conditions.

New medical advances could be great news for accident victims nationwide. As our technologies continue to improve, we can anticipate unprecedented rates of recovery. These new treatments will, however, come at a financial cost. Personal injury victims should consult with an accident attorney for assistance with receiving compensation for their losses.