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The first child in the world to undergo a double hand transplant is now able to write, feed and dress himself, doctors have said, declaring the ground-breaking operation a success after 18 months.
How It Done ?
- A hand is removed from a recently deceased organ donor.
- The bones are attached first with titanium plates, then major tendons and muscles are reconnected, before eight tiny blood vessels are connected to ensure viable blood supply.
- Major nerves are reattached, and the large and small veins connected.
- With blood circulating in the remaining muscles, tendons and nerves are reconnected and the skin stitched closed.
Risk Involved
Organ transplantation is risky in that a recipient’s body may reject the new body part, while the drug regime involved carries a series of health risks. Immunosuppressive drugs must be taken continuously to prevent a patient’s body from rejecting the transplant. These drugs carry risks, including diabetes, cancer and infections.
Source : The Hindu
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