In a first in Asia: 33 year old Rajasthan man undergoes total arm transplant

A 33-year-old Rajasthan man who lost both his hands in an electric accident 12 years ago, became has successfully undergone a bilateral total arm transplant at Global Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai.

 A team led by Dr Nilesh G Satbhai, Head of Department - Plastic, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplant Surgery, Global Hospitals, Mumbai, performed a 16-hour gruelling and complex surgery to help the patient rekindle his hopes of leading an independent life. According to hospital sources this is the first successful total arm transplant case in Asia.

Global Hospitals

Dr Nilesh G Satbhai, Head of Department - Plastic, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplant Surgery, Global Hospitals, Mumbai said, “The entire sequence and process of coordination of getting hands, preparing them, attaching them, connecting the blood vessels, and restoring the blood supply has to be perfect so that the hands survive and start functioning.  The surgery was performed on the 9th February. It was uneventful and lasted for 16 hours. The patient was monitored in the hospital for 4 weeks and was discharged on 9th March. His shoulder physiotherapy has already started. The physiotherapy will continue for the next 18-24 months. The patient is expected to achieve reasonable hand function in 18 months".