Hand transplantation

Abstract

The first successful hand transplantation or vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) was performed in 1998. Until now, 89 hand transplantations have been done. The longest follow-up time for the hand transplant recipient was14 years. The overall results of hand transplantation were: 1) 5-year survival of transplanted hand was usually more than 90%; 2) Functional result of transplant hand was 65 - 75% compared with normal hand function; and, 3) The biggest advantage of hand transplantation over prosthetic hands was the sensory perception after nerve recovery.

Even though hand transplantation showed high success rate with good functional outcome more than 10 years follow-up. But the decision to perform this operation is still controversy. As hand transplantation is not a life-saving procedure compared with transplantations of other solid organs such as the heart, lung, liver or kidney, it was an operation that might improve the quality of life for the amputee patients. For this reason, some physicians still question for the clear indications for this operation, and they are also concerned with the risks and benefits of long-term immunosuppressive therapy following this non-life saving hand transplantation.