Early return of motor function
Early return of motor function after hand transplantation in Wroclaw, POLAND
Under the leadership of Prof. Jerzy Jableki from Wroclaw, two unilateral hand transplantations have been performed in Poland in 2006 and 2008.
Both recipients are doing well and show a remarkable recovery of hand function. In his more recent case, Prof. Jableki and his team (Dr. Leszek Kaczmarzyk and Dr. Adam Domanasiewicz) have achieved almost complete flexion and extention of all fingers without stabilization of the wrist at 2 ½ months after transplantation.
The ideal anatomical condition with an amputation at the wrist and well-preserved forearm muscles together with a well-executed surgery might account for this early return of good hand function. Furthermore, early mobilization and passive as well as active ROM might have contributed to this outcome. Starting on day 7, Prof. Jableki and his colleagues have employed the ARTROM-F apparatus - designed to passively mobilize the hand.
Currently, 10 more patients are waitlisted for hand transplantation at this center. The team is commended for the establishment of a successful hand transplant program in Poland.
