Raj Kumar, a 45-year-old painter from Delhi’s Nangloi, India, has made history as the recipient of the city’s first bilateral hand transplant.
His life-altering surgery took place at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, led by a team of 11 dedicated doctors.
The hands he received were generously donated by a lady identified as Meena Mehta, a former administrative head of a local school who had been declared brain dead.
According to Doctor Swaroop Singh Gambhir, he elaborated on the intricate procedure, which involved securing bones and meticulously connecting muscles, arteries, tendons, and nerves.
Following the 12-hour operation and a six-week recovery period, Kumar was discharged, marking a significant turning point in his journey towards recovery.
While Mehta’s selfless act of organ donation has not only transformed Kumar’s life but has also brought hope to others in need. Prior to the hand transplant, her kidneys, liver, and corneas were donated, benefiting three other individuals.
Meanwhile, Kumar’s journey began in October 2020 when he lost his hands in a tragic train accident while attempting to rescue his bicycle from the tracks.
Despite undergoing an unsuccessful prosthetic trial, which left him dependent on assistance, Kumar found hope when the hospital informed him of a potential match for a bilateral hand transplant.
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, known for its pioneering efforts in medical innovation, received permission to perform hand transplants in North India in February 2023, setting the stage for Kumar’s surgery.
Dr. Mahesh Mangal, chairman of the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at the hospital, emphasized the importance of ongoing care for Kumar, including lifelong immunosuppressant therapy to prevent rejection of his new hands.
However, Kumar is expected to regain sensory perception in his hands within six to seven months, during which he must take precautions against extreme temperatures.
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