The miracle of science and technology

We came across a wonderful article written in the New York Times, "With Lasers and Daring, Doctors Race to Save a Young Man’s Brain," which was very poignantly written and portrayed the feelings of everyone involved clearly. The article is about the "first person in the United States to undergo an operation involving the use of an excimer laser to treat a giant brain aneurysm."

However, while reading this article, we noted that the writer mentioned several times this laser is not approved yet by the FDA --- yet it has already been used in similar operations in Europe. In fact, the Dutch neurosurgeon who devised the laser procedure-- and who was present during this operation-- has already performed this procedure in over 300 patients. The extraordinary concept about this new laser procedure used to bypass a brain aneurism is that "instead of cutting a hole in the brain artery and then sewing a vein to it, [the doctor] sews first and cuts later. That way, the artery does not have to be temporarily clamped, and blood flow to the brain is not cut off. A excimer laser is used to make the hole because it can be slipped into a tight space on the tip of a slender tube and makes a clean cut that stays open without burning nearby tissue."

This new technique will not be approved until comparative studies are made and further study and research is done to ensure it meets with the FDA's standards. However, how long will this take? 5 years? 10 year? We understand FDA approval is to ensure all standard guidelines are adhered to (after all, this is what keeps us safe) but we need a speedier (yet thorough and accurate) process of approval. The world’s technology is forever changing and for the better.

We need to take advantage of this in all fields--- but especially in the field of health care. The life saved may be your own.