Hand Transplant

Hand transplant is a surgical procedure in which a hand that has been amputated is replaced with a donor hand. The procedure involves connecting the bones, blood vessels, nerves, and tendons of the recipient's arm to those of the donor hand. This allows the new hand to be controlled by the recipient's nervous system, providing them with the ability to perform many of the same tasks as they did before the amputation.

The operation is complex and can take anywhere from 8 to 14 hours to complete. During the procedure, the surgeon will make incisions in the recipient's arm and carefully attach the bones, blood vessels, nerves, and tendons of the donor hand to the corresponding structures in the recipient's arm. Once the hand is attached, the blood vessels are carefully sewn together to ensure that blood flow is restored to the hand. The nerves and tendons are then connected to the recipient's nervous system, allowing them to move and control the hand.

Recovery from a hand transplant can take several months or even years, and rehabilitation is a critical part of the process. Patients will typically require ongoing therapy to help them regain strength and range of motion in the hand, as well as to re-learn fine motor skills. Additionally, patients will need to take medication to prevent rejection of the donor hand by the recipient's immune system. With proper care and rehabilitation, many patients are able to regain significant function in the transplanted hand and improve their overall quality of life.