Eduardo Carpinteiro , coordinator of the Shoulder and Elbow Group at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, and his team carried out, on August the 7th, the first surgery in Portugal using a unique tissue regeneration technology for the rotator cuff (the tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint). This is Regeneten, a bioactive technology that has just been introduced and certified in Europe. Regeneten consists of the application of a bovine Achilles tendon derivative, with a high degree of purification, highly porous and with an optimal orientation of type I collagen fibers. These characteristics stimulate a natural response of the organism, inducing new cell growth (regeneration) of the tendon. The implant thus placed is gradually remodeled over the next six months, leaving a layer of new tissue similar to the healthy tendon, thus increasing the thickness of the remaining tendon. The newly induced tendon tissue shares the load with the native tendon, which reduces the excessive tension that causes degeneration. Regeneten is therefore a unique technology for tissue regeneration . “Until now, the scientific community has always talked about repairs. In this case, it is a step further, as the goal is regeneration, which goes far beyond simple repair. We, shoulder surgeons, are fortunate to be pioneers because this technology has the shoulder joint as the first application object”, explains Eduardo Carpinteiro. In the USA, Canada and Australia, where it has been available for about five years, Regeneten has already been applied in more than 20,000 surgeries , with good results, supported by consistent studies and with good clinical evidence. The technology has only just been introduced in Europe, as CE certification was issued recently. In a first phase, it will only be carried out in selected countries and surgeons, having been chosen in Portugal the Hospital da Luz Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, reflecting the international recognition of the experience of its specialists. “ It is a great opportunity for Hospital da Luz and for the patients who come to us, as they can now benefit from this scientific advance ”, stresses Eduardo Carpinteiro.
