What What is the Rutherford Procedure?
Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Cirrhosis
The Rutherford Procedure, as described online , is a way of using stem cells to combat liver cirrhosis without liver transplantation. Given that many liver transplant protocols prevent transplants to patients with a history of alcoholism or drug use, the Rutherford procedure could not only save more lives but be more cost effective because it does not require the extremely invasive transplant procedure. Even better, people undergoing the Rutherford Procedure do not have to be kept on a waiting list for transplant organs from unfortunate victims of brain death who may match their blood and tissue types.The procedure is described in the press as using adult stem cells from the hip bone, multiplied in a space age (truly, it is made by NASA) microgravity reactor for organ regeneration. Afterward, proton therapy is used to destroy the scar tissue in a patient's liver, at which point the stem cells are introduced via catheder to take their place. This regenerative medicine technique promises to help patients of all ages and classes, reduce the cost of cirrhosis treatment, and treat a liver disease that can be caused by a variety of factors. The Rutherford Procedure, if successfully implemented, could also save lives by reducing the demand for donated livers, which takes more people off the waiting list and thereby makes donated organs more available to more people who have other liver failures which cannot be treated in this way.
Notes and Special Information
Special note: This procedure may not be approved by the FDA outside the experimental stage.