title: [Bilateral hand transplantation].
abstract: In March 2000 we performed a bilateral hand transplantation on a 47-year-old policeman who had lost both hands in a bomb accident. Although he was fitted with myoelectric prostheses, he kept investigating the possibility of hand transplantation. The ethical, surgical, medical, legal and human aspects of this special kind of reconstruction was discussed in a symposium in Vienna, and it was decided to go ahead with it if a suitable candidate presented. The operation was successful, the immunosuppressive regimen well-planned and carried out, the post-operative course without any remarkable events. Under intensive physical therapy, the patient gradually but steadily regained sensory and motor functions in his hands. Now, two years after the operation, the patient is practically independent in the activities of daily living and is able to work at his job.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Klinik für Plastische und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Innsbruck, Osterreich. hildegunde.piza@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Piza-Katzer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hussl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ninković
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pechlaner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gabl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ninković
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneeberger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Margreiter
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D001317:Austria; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D063987:Hand Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational
vernacular_title: Beidseitige Handtransplantation.