The story of an 8-year-old boy who received the world's first two-handed transplant

Two-handed transplant fitter was found in Zion Herbie, 8-year-old who lost both hands by having suffered from sepsis at the age of 2 years. He became the first patient in the world to undergo a two-handed transplant surgery from child to child and was conducted at Philadelphia Children's HospitalSuccessful transplant surgery successful. Zion is 2 weeks after surgery and is supposed to pinch things with the fingers of the transplanted hand. A documentary movie that has been closely attached to Zion kun since 1 year before the operation has been released.

First Bilateral Hand Transplant in a Child: Zion's Story - YouTube


This boy was 8-year-old Zion Herbie who received both hand transplants.


A picture of a year ago undergoing surgery. "I was out of hands and feet when I was 2 years old, because I was sick." Zion kun.


Zion kun who operates smartphone with wrist.


It is Zion kun who lost its wrist / ankle because of sepsis, but it is also possible to walk around with leg prosthesis attached to the foot.


Two years after I lost limbs, Zion kun is also receiving a kidney transplant from my mother when I was 4 years old.


I am showing a doctor "muscle bump".


Zion, who became 8 years old, was the first in the world for pediatric patients and was selected as a recipient to undergo both-handed transplant surgery.


It is made to be able to eat with a fork between both arms.


"I asked him" Why do you want a hand? "Zion is a very smart boy, he told me" I want to climb the jungle gym, "he said, this time the transplant Scott Levin, the person in charge of the project, is a doctor.


And Zion kun's mother Patti.


It seems that you are making good friends at school.


And finally the surgery day. Zion, three hours before the start, looks uneasy.


An ambulance arrived at Philadelphia Children's Hospital where surgery is being conducted.


Both hands to be transplanted have been brought in.


Surgery finally started. A surgery, an anesthesiologist, a nurse, including 40 people, took 10 hours of surgery.


Transplant surgery connects bones with an attachment, connects arteries, restores blood flow, and then connects all the blood vessels such as deep veins and superficial veins. Next, it was done in the procedure of connecting the nerve and tendon to all the tissues and finally connecting the skin.


Surgery performed with a surgical microscope requires delicate techniques.


When the transplantation procedure is over, pushing the palm transplanted with a pin, it turns white and discolors ... ...


It got reddened at once. This indicates that blood is flowing normally.


Before the staff Levin doctor said, "It is expected that problems such as complications will occur in the future, but we are not planning to make a mistake. In order to make the transplant of the boy succeed, Let's do it ".


A doctor visited a mother waiting for the operation result. "You have good news"


My mother heard that "Your son got both hands now" is a hug, thank you doctor and tears.


And two weeks after the surgery, Zion kun staring at his hands that I had not had before mindfulness.


Training to open the palm with rehabilitation, I can see that the finger is slightly open and that the surgery was successful.


Zion kun grabbing things with hands for the first time. Although hands are not yet fully functioning, it is expected that further rehabilitation will allow more complex movements.


Zion kun talks "I want to keep a puppy!" And its expression looks very happy. If the transplanted hand moves freely, it should be useful as an important case of future transplant surgery.