for eMaxHealth
The first double hand transplant in the United States began at 8 am yesterday morning. Jeff Kepner, 57, lost both hands and both feet to sepsis ten years ago. This Georgia resident is in surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian.
If Kepner’s surgery goes well, he will also get a bone marrow infusion from the donor. This will occur approximately a week post-surgery. It is intended to try to help Kepner’s body “accept” his new hands and decrease the amount of anti-rejection medication needed.
Kepner joins six other hand transplant patients in the U.S. The others have been single hand transplants. Five were done at Louisville Jewish Hospital in Kentucky and one at UPMC. He joins eight others worldwide who have received double transplants.
There will be an update about the double hand transplant this afternoon. Come back to eMaxHealth for the completion update on double hand transplant surgery.
Sources
Pittsburg Post-Gazette
University of Pittsburg Medical Center
eMaxHealth welcomes your comments and feedback on this story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
