Doctors at JIPMER perform second upper limb transplant

Doctors at the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) have performed the second upper limb transplant recently.

Loss of an isolated upper limb is an emotionally and physically devastating event that results in significant impairment. Upper extremity transplantation is the most common form of vascularized composite allotransplantation performed to date. Published functional outcomes continue to demonstrate improvement in function and quality of life. The international experience supports the idea that, for properly selected individuals, hand and upper extremity transplantation should be considered an important treatment option.

According to a Jipmer statement here on Tuesday, they got information about a 22-year-old brain dead boy from Bengaluru and willingness to donate organs. After completing all formalities a team of surgeons went to Narayana Hridayala, harvested and preserved the upper limbs on November 18. The team managed to reach Jipmer by 1630 hours the same day by the time the patient was ready for the procedure.

The upper limbs were transplanted on a 32-year-old man from Puducherry, who had undergone bilateral upper limb amputations after sustaining crush injuries to both upper limbs in a work-related accident. The bilateral upper limb transplantation procedure was started at 5 pm and lasted for 9½ hours. The patient received 8 units of blood during the procedure. The right limb transplantation was at the level of lower arm whereas the left upper limb transplantation was at the level of the upper one-third. The patient was observed in the CCU until he was stable and then transferred to the Reconstructive Transplantation ICU.

Currently, the patient is under intensive care both for the post-surgical care and for monitoring of immunosuppression.