Woman discharged after successful hand transplant surgery

A 24-year-old girl Monika More in Mumbai was discharged from Global hospital after undergoing successful hands transplant surgery.

Mumbai: Monika More, the girl who lost both her hands in a local accident, is starting a new life. After successfully undergoing transplant surgery, jubilant Monika is ready to start a normal life. The 24 years old girl from Mumbai was discharged from Global hospital today. Monika was exhilarated after successful hands transplant.

"I was confident that, I will get new hands. Now, I am very excited that my dream has come true. In the absence of hands, I was unable to apply Mehendi on hands in my friend's marriage. Now, I can apply Mehendi once again. Besides that, I can draw pictures. I am happy that I can now bath, cook and tie my hair on my own without anybody’s help. I am thankful to my family members, donors and doctor for the new life I got," said Monika. On 28th August, she underwent successful transplant operation. This is said to be first-hand transplant surgery in Mumbai as well as West India.

The journey for Monika was not so easy for hands transplant. Monika lost both her hands in a local accident in Ghatkopar in 2014. For some months, she tried to live a routine life with the help of artificial limbs. But, actually, the artificial limbs proved to be useless and a burden for Monika. Two years ago, she registered her name for hands transplant surgery in Global hospital. There were many incidents when hands were not available from donors. As the family members of brain dead person were not ready to donate hands, her operation was stuck. But, a 32-year-old brain dead person in Chennai donated hands and Monika has got a new life. These hands were brought by Chartered plane in Mumbai. The transplant operation was started in late night and after 16 hours, the operation was successfully over. After some treatment, Monika has been discharged today.

As hands were not being available, her operation was stuck for many years. Now, as we got hands, the hand transplant was immediately operated. Hand transplant is an extremely complicated operation. After this operation, Monika was kept in a special ward in ICU. A nurse was needed to monitor her in isolation. Dressing was done on her both hands regularly. On the third day of transplant, she was able to walk and sit with the support of her shoulder. Besides, she was being given physiotherapy treatment two times a day. To support bones, her hands are plastered up to the elbow. Dr Nilesh Satbhai, consultant plastic and reconstructive microsurgeon of Global Hospital informed.

Now she will be asked to make the movement of her elbow within some weeks. Besides, after three to four months, her hands and finger movements are expected. Till then, her muscle tissue and bones would be healed. The patient will have to take somebody’s help for daily work. But, regular exercise and physiotherapy treatment, her movements will be more on her own. One to one and half year period will be enough for her hands to completely recover. Now, the four weeks period is over after her hands' transplant and her health is in good condition with some regular medicines, said Dr Satbhai.

He cautioned that the patient is recovering very fast and has given an excellent response to treatment. So, we have decided to discharge her. But, she needs to exercise and take physiotherapy treatment daily.