Our Summary

This research paper is about a statistical analysis of hand and face transplants compared to solid organ transplants. The researchers collected data from 1998 to 2014 on all hand and face transplants globally, and compared it to data on solid organ transplants. They found that hand transplants often have better long-term survival rates than solid organ transplants. Chronic rejection, which is a big problem in organ transplants, was found to be significantly lower in hand transplants. Also, kidney failure was less common in hand and face transplants than in solid organ transplants. They found mixed results when comparing hand transplants with and without bone marrow transplants. They also found that hand transplants function better than prosthetics, but not as well as reattached hands. The researchers concluded that hand transplants could be considered standard care in certain cases, but more research is needed before face transplants can be considered the same.

FAQs

  1. What time period did the researchers collect data on hand and face transplants?
  2. How does the survival rate of hand transplants compare to solid organ transplants according to the study?
  3. What conclusions did the researchers draw about the use of hand and face transplants as standard care?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hand transplant is to follow the prescribed medication regimen to prevent rejection and infection, attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor the success of the transplant, and to participate in physical therapy to regain strength and function in the transplanted hand. It is also important to maintain overall good health and follow a healthy lifestyle to support the success of the transplant.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for hand transplants are those who have suffered severe hand trauma or amputation, and have exhausted all other treatment options such as prosthetics or hand reattachment surgery. Candidates for hand transplants must also be in good overall health, have a stable mental health status, and be committed to following a rigorous post-transplant rehabilitation and medication regimen. Additionally, patients must have realistic expectations about the potential risks and benefits of the procedure. Hand transplant candidates are usually evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of transplant surgeons, hand surgeons, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals to determine if they are suitable candidates for the procedure.

Timeline

Before a hand transplant:

  • Patient may have experienced a traumatic injury or illness that resulted in the loss of a hand
  • Patient undergoes thorough medical evaluations to determine if they are a suitable candidate for a hand transplant
  • Patient undergoes psychological evaluations to assess their ability to cope with the physical and emotional challenges of a transplant
  • Patient may be placed on a waiting list for a suitable donor hand
  • Patient and medical team discuss the risks and benefits of a hand transplant

After a hand transplant:

  • Patient undergoes a lengthy surgery to transplant the donor hand onto their arm
  • Patient begins a rigorous rehabilitation program to regain strength, function, and sensation in the transplanted hand
  • Patient takes immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection of the transplanted hand
  • Patient undergoes regular follow-up appointments with their medical team to monitor the health of the transplanted hand and adjust medication as needed
  • Patient may experience episodes of rejection or other complications that require medical intervention
  • Patient may eventually regain near-normal function in the transplanted hand, allowing them to perform daily activities and improve their quality of life.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the risks and potential complications associated with a hand transplant?
  2. How long is the recovery process after a hand transplant and what kind of rehabilitation will be needed?
  3. What kind of medications will I need to take after the transplant and what are the potential side effects?
  4. How will a hand transplant impact my daily life and ability to perform tasks?
  5. What kind of follow-up care will be necessary after the transplant?
  6. Are there any specific criteria I need to meet in order to be eligible for a hand transplant?
  7. How successful have hand transplants been in the past, and what is the long-term outlook for patients who undergo the procedure?
  8. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that should be considered before opting for a hand transplant?
  9. How experienced is the medical team that will be performing the hand transplant?
  10. What kind of support system will be available to me before, during, and after the hand transplant procedure?

Reference

Authors: Breidenbach WC, Meister EA, Becker GW, Turker T, Gorantla VS, Hassan K, Kaplan B. Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Jan;137(1):214e-222e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001893. PMID: 26710054