dr. koichi watsuki. the team operated on their patient for eight hours. they transplanted the main vein from his nostril. it was grafted near the damaged area on nozawa's spine. this tissue regenerated the nerves. when transplanted to a damaged spinal cord, it helped stretch severed nerves and reconnect them. experts say patients under the age of 40 have a higher chance of success. before the operation nozawa couldn't sense electrical signals from his brain to his lower body. but the surgery helped to reconnect the nerves, so the signals could get through. >> translator: it's amazing. >> translator: the injury was >> translator: i hope that many patients will feel the joy of standing on their feet and walking again. the prospects look good. i consider this a major step forward. >> reporter: even though the operation was successful, it doesn't mean nozawa can walk right away. he must undergo special rehabilitation. it's a new kind developed by the medical staff at the university of tsukuba. first the patit focuses on his needs, imagining he's moving them.

dr. koichi watsuki. the team operated on their patient for eight hours.y transplanted the main vein from his nostril. it was grafted near the damaged area on nozawa's spine. this tissue regenerated the nerves. when transplanted to a damaged spinal cord, it helped stretch severed nerves and reconnect them. experts say patients under the age of 40 have a higher chance of success. before the operation nozawa couldn't sense electrical signals from his brain to his lower body. but the surgery helped to reconnect the nerves, so the signals could get through. >> translator: it's amazing. >> translator: the injury was more than a decade ago. >> translator: i hope that many patients will feel the joy of standing on their feet and walking again. the prospects look good. i consider this a major step forward. >> reporter: even though the operation was successful, it doesn't mean nozawa can walk right away. he must undergo special rehabilitation. it's a new kind developed by the medical staff at the university of tsukuba. first the patient focuses on his needs, imagin