title: The First Hand Allotransplantation in Taiwan: A Report at 9 Months.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hand transplantations have been initiated and have been encouraged by promising results for more than 1 decade. The aim of this study was to present the first case of hand transplantation performed in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  On September 3, 2014, we transplanted the left distal forearm and hand of a brain-dead managed 37 years to a man aged 45 years who had traumatic amputation of the distal third of his right forearm 30 years ago. The total ischemic time during the transplantation was 6 hours and 45 minutes. Immunosuppression included anti-thymocyte globulins, and methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) was used for the induction. Maintenance therapy included systemic tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid [mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)], and prednisone. A combination of systemic (tacrolimus/MMF/prednisolone) and topical immunosuppressant cream (clobetasol and tacrolimus) was applied if acute rejection occurred. Follow-up included routine posttransplant laboratory tests, skin biopsies, intensive physiotherapy, and psychological support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial postoperative course was uneventful. No surgical complications were observed. Immunosuppression was well tolerated using tacrolimus, MMF, and prednisone, except for some immune-related complications. One episode of mild clinical and histological signs of cutaneous rejection was seen at 105 days after surgery. These signs disappeared after pulse therapy with Solumedrol and the topical application of immunosuppressive creams (tacrolimus and clobetasol). One infection episode occurred due to local cellulitis and axillary lymphadenopathy on day 140 and was successfully treated with antibiotics. The patient developed cytomegalovirus infection at 7 months that responded to medication. Intensive physiotherapy led to satisfactory progress in motor functioning. Sensory progress (Tinel sign) was good and reached the wrist by 3 months for the median and ulnar nerves, and could be felt in the finger tip by 9 months in response to deep pressure and light touch sensations. The patient has a lateral pinch that allows him to pick up and grip objects during daily living, although his muscle power is still insufficient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand allotransplantation is technically feasible. Currently available immunosuppression methods seem to control vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation rejection. A combination of topical and systemic immunosuppressants is a useful method to prevent acute hand allotransplant rejection.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine; †Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital; ‡Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University; Departments of §Internal Medicine, ∥Rehabilitation, ¶Pathology, #Psychiatrics, **Radiology, ††Orthopedics, ‡‡Anesthesia, and §§Pharmacology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yur-Ren
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Chien-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yen-Chou
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ming-Chung
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Pao-Yuan
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chen-Hsiang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jui-Kun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yi-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shun-Chen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yuan-Cheng
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Nien-Mu
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yu-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jiun-Lung
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Re-Wen
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ka-Kit
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: Kuan-Chih
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Min-Hsien
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Cheng-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Fu-Chan
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D001132:Arm / Q000637:transplantation*; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D063987:Hand Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013624:Taiwan; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous