We have heard of a kidney transplant, a liver transplant, or even an eye transplant. But did you know that hands and legs can also be transplanted? Jeevesh Kushwah, a 32-year-old man from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh recently underwent a bilateral hand transplant, three years after he lost both his hands in a work-related accident.
The surgery was performed at Global Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai on 9th February 2024, and went on for more than 12 hours. The surgery was performed by a team of doctors led by Dr Nilesh Satbhai, Head of Department- Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplantation, who also spoke to the OnlyMyHealth team to explain about the procedure.
Jeevesh Kushwah's Life After Losing Both Arms
Three years ago in December 2020, Jeevesh Kushwah, a mechanical engineer from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh accidentally sustained a high-voltage electric shock, while working in a steel fabrication factory. He suffered severe electric burns on both his arms and legs and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Later on, he was treated in Indore.
Upon examining his injuries, the doctors said that to help him survive, his right leg and both his hands would have to be amputated. Within a few days, his right leg was amputated at above knee level. After another one to two weeks, both his hands were amputated below his elbows.
Initially, his family procured artificial limbs for him. He could stand and walk with the help of an artificial right leg. However, the artificial hands were not of much use as they were not fully functional and were useless for most activities. He relied heavily on his brothers for assistance with daily tasks.
Talking about the challenges he faced after his limbs were amputated, Jeevesh said, “Losing my hands was like losing a part of myself. Everyday tasks that once seemed basic, now became daunting. I was overwhelmed with frustration and helplessness, and depression crept into each aspect of my life. I was dependent on others for simple activities like being able to hold objects, wear clothes, eat, tie my shoelaces, brush my hair, or even maintain hygiene.”
In 2022, he read about Global Hospitals’ transplant programme and thereby visited Dr Satbhai for the first time in June 2022. UCLA Health defined a hand and arm transplant as a surgical procedure where a patient's diseased or missing hand and/or arm is replaced with a donor's hand and/or arm. It's a complex procedure that involves connecting bones, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles to ensure proper function and sensation in the transplanted limb.
Also Read: What Is Organ Transplantation? Know What Organs Can Be Donated
How Hand Transplant Offered New Hope
Describing his meeting with Kushwah, Dr Satbhai said, “I examined Jeevesh and discussed the feasibility of bilateral hand transplantation with him and his family. He and his brother came back and met me in January 2024. Jeevesh was highly motivated and wanted to go ahead with the transplant surgery.”
He added, “After detailed assessment and planning, we registered him for a hand transplant. Jeevesh was very lucky to receive hands from a brain-dead donor within a month after he got registered. The donor hands were perfectly suitable for Jeevesh’s body frame in terms of size, colour, and external appearance.”
Talking about the unique challenges of Jeevesh’s case, Dr Satbhai listed:
- Injury sustained by Jeevesh had resulted in severe scarring of both the amputation stumps. There were skin grafts over both the amputation stumps and the underlying structures were scarred and contracted.
- This made the recipient preparation challenging. The donor's hands had to be dissected and prepared differently to match the recipient's requirements.
- The coordination of the donor and the recipient teams was very crucial, as the donor hands had to travel from Surat to Mumbai, and the recipient had to rush from Ujjain to Mumbai.
Recovery After Bilateral Hand Transplant
Dr Satbhai shared that the surgery lasted for more than 12 hours, and Jeevesh’s recovery was smooth and uneventful in intensive care. “He was discharged on the 2nd March. The patient was mobilised out of bed within 4-5 days of the surgery and passive physiotherapy started. He is likely to gain reasonable hand function in the next 6-9 months.”
He added, “The patient will be on lifelong immunosuppression and will have to take the required precautions and care for the same.” This is one complication that is often touted by many credible medical institutions. However, several case studies including the case study of India’s first two bilateral hand transplants published in The Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery found that lifelong immunosuppressants after hand transplant are generally non-life-threatening and ultimately have a positive impact on the quality of life.
Expressing his joy after a successful procedure, Kushwah said, “With this new pair of hands, I wish to regain my independence and self-respect. I want to pursue all my dreams and goals, which seemed out of reach before the hand transplantation surgery. I am forever indebted to Dr Satbhai and his team for shaping my life with this new pair of hands and thank the donor family for their kind act.”
“My brother was lucky to undergo the procedure and is eagerly anticipating using his own hands to work and eat for the first time in three years. My brother has indeed got a new lease of life and we are hopeful that he will get a life partner as well,” said Jeevesh Kushwah’s elated brother Manoj Kushwah.
Also Read: Living With An Artificial Knee: Know The Basics Of Living A Healthy Life After A Knee Transplant
Jeevesh Kushwah’s case is another medical milestone for India, and commendably for the Indian medical professionals, this is not an isolated case. Talking to the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Vivek Talaulikar, COO, IHH Healthcare, India provided the perfect conclusion for Kushwah’s hand transplant story, “The possibility of a successful hand transplant offers a renewed sense of hope to patients facing similar challenges. This milestone showcases how advancements in medical technology and surgical techniques continue to push boundaries and expand possibilities. By highlighting the success of this hand transplant, we are encouraged to reflect on the profound difference each individual can make by choosing to donate organs - a decision that carries immeasurable weight in changing and even saving lives.”