Actor Christopher Reeve has recently undergone a pioneering surgical procedure in hopes of freeing himself from dependence on a respirator, a necessity since his tragic neck injury sustained during a horseback-riding mishap back in 1995.
Medical professionals at University Hospitals of Cleveland utilized a minimally invasive approach to insert minute electrodes that regulate his breathing by activating the diaphragm muscles with a pacemaker-like mechanism.
Thanks to this innovative device, the renowned “Superman” actor, who is paralyzed from the neck down, can now breathe without the aid of a respirator for brief periods of up to 15 minutes.
During a press briefing last Thursday, Reeve expressed how liberating it was to escape the continuous mechanical noise, particularly when the respirator was switched off.
He described the newfound silence as a stark contrast, highlighting the peaceful sound of his own rhythmic nose breathing after nearly eight years.
With the respirator no longer in use, Reeve can also engage in conversation and sense scents around him.
He vividly recalled the moment when he woke up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee brought to him by the medical team.
The lead surgeon, Dr. Raymond Onders, who spearheaded the experimental operation, shared that their current focus lies in fortifying Reeve’s dormant diaphragm muscles, which have remained inactive for eight long years.
Their ultimate objective is to sustain continuous breathing support round the clock, yet achieving this goal will require some time and effort.
Onders disclosed that approximately 200 to 300 individuals in the United States with spinal cord injuries could potentially qualify for the procedure once it receives official approval.
Before undergoing this groundbreaking surgery, Reeve had to rely on his neck muscles to manually force air into his lungs, a task that demanded immense exertion and concentration.
The effectiveness of the procedure stems from the fact that the diaphragm plays a pivotal role in regulating breathing.
As the diaphragm contracts, it creates a vacuum within the chest cavity, drawing air in, and upon relaxation, the air is released.
Despite the relative novelty of the technique employed on Reeve, the concept itself is not entirely new.
Physicians have previously employed a surgical intervention known as thoracotomy, involving opening the chest and attaching electrodes to the phrenic nerves responsible for diaphragm control.
However, this conventional open-chest method poses significant risks and necessitates an extended hospital stay for recovery.
In his 1999 memoir, “Still Me,” Reeve characterized the conventional chest operation as radical and perilous, citing potential complications such as battery failures and nerve damage from constant electrical impulses.
While the procedure may offer liberation from respirator dependency, there are inherent risks that could prove fatal.
The novel surgical approach was jointly developed by Onders, Dr. Anthony DiMarco of University Hospitals, and biomedical engineers from Case Western Reserve University.
By employing a slender endoscope for minimally invasive surgery, only a brief overnight hospitalization was required.
Furthermore, the electrodes were strategically placed in proximity to, but not in direct contact with, the phrenic nerves to minimize the risk of damage.
Onders underscored that even in the worst-case scenario where the procedure fails to wean Reeve off the ventilator, there should be no enduring repercussions beyond removing the implanted wires.
Reeve marks the third individual to undergo this groundbreaking treatment, following Tom Conlan, paralyzed in a swimming accident, who first received the implant three years ago.
Notably, Reeve’s thorough procedure assessment included testing his phrenic nerves for functionality before proceeding with surgery.
The intricate operation conducted on February 28 spanned 4.5 hours, marking a critical milestone in Reeve’s quest for respiratory independence.
Since then, his diligent efforts in working closely with medical experts have yielded significant progress, with him dedicating extensive hours daily to mastering the device’s functionalities.
Expressing gratitude for the transformative procedure, Reeve emphasized his desire for its broader impact beyond his personal recovery.
He emphasized the importance of enhancing care standards for all patients in similar predicaments, underscoring the altruistic motive underlying his journey towards rehabilitation.
