The first successful hand allotransplantation in Russia

The number of patients with limb loss and permanent disability is steadily increasing. Hand prostheses are the most common method of rehabilitation, but even the most advanced bionic prostheses have many disadvantages and do not provide sufficient quality of life. Hand allotransplantation is the only alternative method. The authors present the first successful Russian experience of hand allotransplantation. After 3 months, the patient returned to work and used the hand in daily activities with functional result exceeding that for bionic prosthesis. Thus, there was successful result of treatment. Transplantation of complex tissues (hands, face) should be introduced into clinical practice and become an integral part of modern transplantation and reconstructive surgery, including consequences of mine-blast wounds.