Mayo Clinic has initiated the first clinical Hand Transplant Program in the United States and is now enrolling patients. This program offers hand transplantation as a clinically available option for patients with bilateral hand injuries or amputations. This allows patients to embark on this option of reconstructive surgery without being required to enroll in experimental trials.
Hand transplantation is a complex surgery involving attachment of a hand and arm from a donor to a recipient. The procedure involves the reattachment of skin, bone, muscles, nerves, tendons and blood vessels. People in good health who have lost both hands due to trauma may be candidates for hand transplantation in this program. Mayo's Hand Transplant Program will initially treat patients with bilateral injuries or amputations. Hatem Amer, M.D., Mayo Clinic transplant nephrologist and the program's co-director discusses the program.
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