Hand Transplant: Past, Now and Future

Hand is the most functional organ of the body which is involved in activities of daily living and also the most vulnerable part of the human body. Every year, a significant number of people lose their hands due to traffic accidents, electrical burns, occupational accidents and other traumas. There are also cases of disabled children born without hands due to genetic diseases or pregnancy complications. Vascular diseases, diabetes, infections and cancers can cause a person cut or lose their hand. A Human being without hands loses 54% of their function. It also has negative physical, psychological and social effects. Hand transplant is a desirable therapeutic approach for people with one hand or even without them. Hand transplantation is performed in a few centers around the world. It helps a person regain some of the motor and sensory functions of hand and subsequently aids in improving patient's quality of life. This study indicates history and characteristics of candidates for transplant, preoperative and post-operative interventions as well as hand transplant complications.