“With the exact same surgery, I am now helping both a patient and science move forward.”
It is actually bizarre that we throw away residual tissue after a surgery, considering it is a valuable resource for innovative scientific research. I am glad that things can be done differently nowadays.
At Isala, we have been collaborating with VitalTissue for a year and a half. They ensure that residual tissue no longer ends up in the bin, but is instead used for scientific research. For instance, for the development of new medicines and treatment methods. By doing this with residual tissue, fewer laboratory animals will be needed in the future.
I highly applaud VitalTissue for making this possible. And I am pleased with the way they do it. They take care of the entire logistical process: from arranging patient consent to transporting the residual tissue to the research institute. It requires very little extra time or effort from us in the operating theatre, but it makes our work much more valuable.
In this way, we contribute to animal-free research into better treatment methods or medicines. As a result, we do not only help today's patient with a single procedure, but also tomorrow's.
I am curious about how colleagues feel about this. Could this be something for your hospital too?
Vincent Nieuwenhuijs – Chirurg Isala Hospital
