In a groundbreaking medical achievement, the Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana, has successfully performed the first hand transplant in north India. The surgeries, which lasted around 17 hours each, took place in late December 2023. A 19-year-old and a 64-year-old man were the recipients of the transplant, expressing their gratitude for the “second chance” and “new hopes in life.” This marks a significant milestone for medical science in the region.
The 64-year-old patient, Gautam Tayal from Delhi, had previously undergone a kidney transplant ten years ago but lost his left hand in a factory accident two years ago. His hand transplant involved receiving the limb of a 40-year-old brain-dead individual from Thane. Dr. Mohit Sharma of the Centre for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Amrita Hospital described this achievement as rare and exciting, as they had to meticulously join two bones, two arteries, 25 tendons, and 5 nerves to achieve a successful union of the transplanted hand.
It is worth noting that India had previously conducted its first hand transplant surgery in Kochi on January 13, 2015. However, this recent procedure in Faridabad marks not only the first hand transplantation in north India but also the first one ever performed on a kidney transplant patient. This innovative feat showcases the remarkable progress made in the field of medical science, offering renewed hope and improved quality of life for individuals in need of such procedures.
