Hand, larynx transplant facility in Kochi

A cadaver hand and larynx (voice box) transplant facility has come up at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences here with the Kerala medical authorities giving all the requisite clearances.

So far, no documented limb and larynx transplant has taken place in India.

Subramania Iyer, who heads the plastic and reconstructive surgery department at the hospital, said around 110 hands have been transplanted across the world from cadavers on 85 patients with less than five percent rejection rate.

In case of larynx transplant, only three to four cases have been reported so far globally, Iyer said.

"Unlike replantation, where a dismembered limb is surgically restored, in case of transplant, limb and larynx of a brain-dead person is transplanted on a recipient. Hand and upper limb transplantation have been accepted as one of the best forms of treatment. These are superior than prosthetic treatment," said Iyer.

Larynx transplantation was not possible so far as it was difficult to restore complicated nerve and muscle functions. But with improved technology, such problems can now be overcome. Amrita hospital has the expertise and technology for such a complicated surgical restoration, Iyer said.

"Two patients have registered with the hospital for hand transplant. We are now waiting for donors. Like kidney, heart, liver and cornea of a brain-dead person, limbs and larynx can also be transplanted to a recipient who had lost one or both the limbs," said Iyer.

Since such donation disfigures a body, a prosthetic hand is fixed to the brain-dead person. Hand transplant is followed by post-operative rehabilitation by a physiotherapist and occupational therapist.

After about one year of such transplantation, the limb becomes 90 percent normal, but some small muscles might not become totally functional.

The transplanted limb functions normally with regular therapy in course of time.

Amrita hospital has been approved by the Kerala government and medical directorate to perform such transplants after proper inspection of the facilities and ascertaining the expertise.