الفهرس 
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Abstract
Introduction: Stem cell is a special kind of cell that has a unique capacity to renew itself and to give rise to different specialized cell types. Stem cells can be classified into two major categories, according to their developmental status; embryonic and adult stem cells. Stem cells can be pluripotent which means the ability to give rise to cells from all three germ layers or multipotent which means the ability to give rise to a limited number of other specialized cell types. Stem cells could be isolated from embryos, umbilical cord, placenta and some adult tissues. Aim of work: to discuss what are stem cells?, the properties characterizing stem cells and to stress upon potential uses of stem cells in surgery. Current stem-cell research has the potential to lead to new methods for the treatment of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and musculoskeletal diseases, as well as diabetes and cancer In Surgery, stem cells could be used in digestive surgery for treatment of liver diseases, short bowel syndrome, severe Crohn’s disease refractory to other medical therapies, gastrointestinal motility disorders, esophageal disorders that need esophageal replacement. Stem cells have the potential for prevention of amputation of limbs in diabetes and critical limb ischaemia by stimulation of angiogenesis. Another application is to use stem cells in reconstructive surgery, soft tissue replacement, and trearment of burns and skin ulcers. stem cells also could be used for repair of spinal cord injuries, rapair of diseased myocardium and diseased heart valves. Stem cells may be used also in treatment of congenital anomalies in pediatric surgery, many urological disorders like urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, and reconstruction after tumor resection. The field of stem cell research is fraught with challenges. There are many issues related to the derivation, expansion, manipulation, characterization, and testing of stem cells for efficacy, toxicity, disposition to tumor and cancer formation, and immune responses that must be resolved before these cells or cells derived from them can be used to treat patients.