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Status 5 years after bilateral hand transplantation.
S Schneeberger1, M Ninkovic, H Piza-Katzer
1Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Innsbruck Medical Univeristy, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck, Austria. stefan.schneeberger@uibk.ac.at
Summary
Long-term hand transplant survival is promising, with no signs of chronic rejection observed up to 5 years post-transplant. Hand function and nerve responses showed significant, sustained improvement.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation immunology
- Reconstructive surgery
- Vascularized composite allotransplantation
Background:
- Long-term outcomes of hand transplantation remain under investigation.
- The risk of chronic rejection after hand allotransplantation is not well-defined.
Observation:
- A 5-year follow-up of bilateral hand transplantation was conducted.
- Clinical, functional, morphological, and vascular assessments were performed regularly.
Findings:
- No signs of chronic rejection were observed over 5 years, despite one mild acute rejection episode.
- Significant improvements in hand motor and sensory function were noted, with sustained gains.
- Vascular assessments showed no graft occlusion, with evidence of revascularization in previously occluded arteries.
Implications:
- Hand transplantation demonstrates favorable long-term graft survival and function.
- Chronic rejection may not be a significant limiting factor in long-term hand allograft survival.
- These findings support hand transplantation as a viable reconstructive option.