Hand transplantation

Hand transplantation is a surgical procedure to replace a patient's hand or forearm that has been lost due to disease or injury, with a donor's hand or forearm. This procedure is considered when prosthetic devices fail to bring back the functionality or appearance of the hand.

History

The first successful hand transplantation was performed in 1998 in Lyon, France. Since then, more than 80 hand transplants have been performed around the world.

Procedure

The procedure involves attaching the bones with plates and screws, then connecting the tendons, arteries, nerves, veins, and skin. The surgery can take up to 12 hours to complete.

Post-operative care

After the surgery, the patient will need to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent the body from rejecting the new hand. Physical therapy is also necessary to regain function and sensation in the transplanted hand.

Risks

As with any major surgery, hand transplantation carries risks, including infection, bleeding, and complications from anesthesia. There's also the risk of transplant rejection, where the body's immune system attacks the new hand.

See also

• Organ transplantation
• Reconstructive surgery
• Immunosuppressive drugs

References

Hand transplantation Resources
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