Hand Transplant in Chennai

A hand transplant is a surgery done to replace a hand or a part of the upper limb with that of a donor. It is recommended for people who lose their hands due to an accident or injury. A hand transplant can improve your quality of life. If you want a hand transplant in Chennai, visit Gleneagles Hospitals. It is the best hospital for hand transplant surgery in Chennai.

A hand transplant is a highly specialised reconstructive procedure that replaces a missing hand with a donor’s hand. It involves the transferring of different tissue types, such as skin, bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. This procedure aims to restore functionality, sensation, and appearance of the patient.

A bilateral hand transplant means a double hand transplant. It includes replacing both left and right hands or parts of the upper extremities with those of a donor. This procedure may take up to 24 hours to complete.

The Right Candidate for a Hand Transplant

Every person who has lost a hand may not be the right candidate for a hand transplantation. The right candidates for a hand transplant include:

• People who have lost their hand due to infection, trauma, or disease
• People have intact nerves and muscles in the affected part of the hand for quick recovery.
• People who are in good overall health and can take immunosuppressive drugs.
• People who are mentally strong enough to handle the transplant.

Candidates Who are Not Suitable for a Hand Transplant Include:

• People suffering from chronic health problems such as diabetes and severe heart problems
• People with a history of cancer
• People with poor psychological balance

The procedure is done by specialists, including plastic surgeons, microvascular surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, and rehabilitation specialists. 

You have to meet the surgeon who will perform the procedure. The doctor will ensure that you are the right candidate for the hand transplant. The doctor will perform a physical examination and take your history, medical history, and family history. The doctor will also recommend blood tests and X-rays.

The doctor will also recommend your mental health evaluation because a hand transplant needs lifelong care. You must have a strong system before the procedure to get assistance whenever required.

The procedure is done after the surgeon receives a donor hand from a recently deceased person with the matching blood type, skin tone, and tissue type.

The doctor will also give you some instructions before the procedure to avoid the risk of complications, such as:

• You must stop smoking before the procedure.
• You may have to modify or adjust the dosage of medications that you are taking after consultation with your healthcare provider.
• You have to manage other health problems.
• You have to avoid drinking alcohol or any other drugs that are not good for your health.

On the day of the procedure, the doctor will give you anaesthesia. The surgeon will make the donor's hand and your arm ready.

The doctor will make incisions in both to attach them. The surgeon will connect the different parts, including bone, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, and skin.

The surgeon will use screws and plates to connect the bones. The surgeon will also use stitches to attach the other parts. Once all pieces of the donor's hand are attached to your arm, the surgeon will close the incisions.

Once your surgery is complete, you will be moved to a recovery room. 

You may have to stay in the hospital for at least two weeks after the surgery. 
The doctor will perform imaging tests such as X-rays and blood tests to monitor your recovery. The health care team, including nurses and other staff, will ensure that you feel comfortable. The doctor will prescribe pain medications to give relief from pain and discomfort. 

The doctor will regularly check the function of your hand. It may take some time before you can move your fingers. A hand transplant will improve the function of your upper arm, but the transplanted hand may not function as normally as your normal hand. 

You have to stay on immunosuppressive drugs for life long to avoid rejection. 

You can start mild movements to improve muscle strength and improve mobility. You will learn to perform daily activities such as writing and eating. The sensation may take more time to return. Some patients also need psychological counselling to help them adjust to the new hand.

The most important risk associated with a hand transplant is rejection. Rejection occurs if your body fails to accept the donor's hand. The rejection may be acute or chronic.

Rejection occurs because your immune system does not accept the new hand. Acute rejection occurs after a few weeks of the transplant and chronic rejection occurs over years.

In acute rejection, your immune system starts destroying the tissues and blood vessels of your new hand. 

The symptoms of rejection include skin color change, swelling, and loss of function.

The Complications of Surgery Include:

• Infection at the site of incision
• Bleeding
• Formation of a blood clot
• Loss of transplant
• Death
• Skin cancer
• Skin color variation
• Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
• Physiological problems due to hand rejection

Immunosuppressive drugs can also cause side effects, which include the following:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure
• High risk of infection
• Gastric problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Development of other health problems such as diabetes

Gleneagles Hospitals is a premier institute offering hand transplantation in India. If you want a hand transplant in Chennai, visit the Gleneagles Hospitals. The hospital offers a combination of medical expertise, advanced facilities, and comprehensive care for hand transplant surgery in Chennai. Reasons to choose Gleneagles Hospitals for a hand transplant include:

• Multidisciplinary Approach: The hospital uses a multidisciplinary approach for hand transplant surgery. Its team includes experienced and highly qualified surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, and anesthesiologists. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive and personalized care throughout the treatment.
• Successful Track Record: The hospital has a proven success record for performing complex hand transplant surgeries. It has different centres throughout India where doctors have performed hand surgeries to help patients improve their quality of life.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities and Modern Infrastructure: Gleneagles Hospital is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and modern infrastructure, facilitating the execution of complex surgeries and achieving success. The hospital uses modern surgical methods and technology to ensure the best treatment for the patients.
• Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is important for quick functional recovery after surgery. Gleneagles Hospital offers extensive postoperative care and comprehensive rehabilitation programs aimed at restoring hand function quickly. 

A hand transplant is a complex surgery. It offers emotional, aesthetic, and functional benefits to the patients. However, it requires lifelong medical care and support. The decision of hand transplant depends on health condition, personal goals, and willingness to undergo this procedure. You must choose the best hospital, such as the Gleneagles Hospitals in Chennai, for a hand transplant. The hospital offers a multidisciplinary approach, comprehensive care, rehabilitation, advanced techniques, and the best outcomes in hand transplant cases.