Doctors speak about the success of the world's first transplantation of both hands in a child

There are not many things in the world that can emphasize the importance of science better than biomedicine.

Two years ago, 8-year-old Sion Harvey became the first child in the world to undergo bilateral hand transplantation. Now, at the age of 10, Zion can write, draw, dress, play baseball and football, and do whatever other children like to do.

This radical operation can be safely called the victory of biomedical science. Doctors who conducted it, recently released a report on the procedure, published in the journal The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.

Revolutionary operation

Zion Harvey at the age of two years amputated arms and legs after a life-threatening sepsis. Two years after the infection, the boy was also transplanted to the kidney from his mother.

The family of Zion has consulted with many doctors in the Philadelphia hospital "Shrners" since 2012. Initially, the question of installing prosthetic arms was discussed, but the doctors had a revolutionary (and certainly more risky) idea: a bilateral transplant. In the following months, the boy underwent extensive research so that doctors could determine whether his body could cope with the operation and its consequences.

Eventually in July 2015, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia received a "green light." The operation involved 40 people, including 10 surgeons who worked 10 hours and 40 minutes.

results

Two years later, the results were very impressive.

"The child has become more independent and is already able to perform daily activities," said Sandra Amaral, a physician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "His condition continues to improve with daily therapy, whose goal is to expand the functionality of his hands and provide psychosocial support so that the boy can cope with current demands after the operation."

Scanning MRI also shows that the brain of a small patient has developed new ways to implement sensory and motor functions.

Problems and complications

Nevertheless, the recovery of Zion was difficult, both emotionally and physically. During the first year, his body was repeatedly rejected by the transplanted hands. Even after two years, the boy must take four immunosuppressant drugs to protect himself from rejecting new tissues.

The authors of the study note that the success of the operation proves the possibility of such types of transplantation if they are carefully thought out.

The progress of Zion is spectacular. He emphasizes the results that have been achieved through the dedicated and coordinated joint efforts of doctors from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Shrners Hospital.