Chinese-Russian Medical Team Reportedly Performs First Spinal Cord Transplant in Moscow

Chinese-Russian Medical Team Reportedly Performs First Spinal Cord Transplant in Moscow

MOSCOW, October 24, 2026 [VoM News]: A joint Chinese and Russian medical team has reportedly performed what is being described as the world’s first spinal cord transplant on a paralysed patient in Moscow, in a procedure involving donor tissue and a technique intended to fuse damaged nerve connections.

According to reports by The South China Morning Post and New Scientist, the 12-hour operation was carried out between October 14 and 15 at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine.

Chinese surgeon Ren Xiaoping said the team removed a damaged section of the patient’s spinal cord and replaced it with tissue taken from a brain-dead donor. The patient had sustained a spinal cord injury three years earlier that left the cord severed.

The surgeons reportedly used microsurgical techniques and polyethylene glycol, a substance that can help fuse cell membranes, as part of the procedure.

Ren said the operation involved his team from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine and Russian medical professionals. He reported that the patient was in stable condition following the surgery.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin also provided an update on October 16 through Telegram, saying the patient was feeling well and had been given a chance to recover after facing the risk of complete paralysis.

However, the reported outcome does not establish whether the transplant has restored movement or sensation. The procedure’s long-term effectiveness and the extent of the patient’s recovery remain unclear.

Ren has previously attracted attention for his stated ambition to perform a human head transplant.

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Rafia Tasleem is a seasoned journalist from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, recognized for her expertise in content writing, investigative research, fact-based reporting, strategic media planning, presentation and lot more. With experience working for both national and international news organizations, she brings a deep understanding of media dynamics. Holding a Master’s in Communication and Media Studies from Aligarh Muslim University, she has been contributing to VoM News for the past two years. For inquiries, contact rafiatasleem@vomnews.in