Indian Transplant Newsletter Vol. 8 Issue NO.: 27 (Oct 2008 - Jun 2009)
Print ISSN 0972 - 1568

World’s first complete double arm transplant

Indian Transplant Newsletter.
Vol. 8 Issue NO.: 27 (Oct 2008 - Jun 2009)
Print ISSN 0972 - 1568
Print PDF


Karl Merk, who lost his arms in a farming accident in 2002, received the world's first complete double arm transplant in Munich, Germany, in July 2008.

The donor was a teenager who had died in a car crash. A total of 40 surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses and other support staff carried out the 15-hour operation at the Munich University Clinic to graft the donor's arms on to the body of Merk, who lost his own just below the shoulder in a combine harvester accident.

"These are my arms, and I'm not giving them away again," he told reporters at the Munich University Clinic where he still remained in October 2008, nearly three months after his operation. At that point he still required a further four to six weeks of physiotherapy, electric stimulation and psychological counseling.

However, Merk is recovering well and can perform simple tasks such as opening doors and turning lights on and off. His ultimate goals are to eat and dress himself — and ride a motorcycle.

"All in all, our wildest expectations have pretty much been fulfilled," said Christoph Hoehnke, one of the lead doctors. Doctors also said there were good indications of nerve growth in the arms but it could take up to two years before Merk relearns how to use his hands.

 


To cite : Shroff S , Navin S. World’s first complete double arm transplant. Indian Transplant Newsletter Vol. 8 Issue NO.: 27 (Oct 2008 - Jun 2009).
Available at:
https://www.itnnews.co.in/indian-transplant-newsletter/issue27/IN-THE-NEWS-INTERNATIONAL-315.htm

  • Copyright © 2024. Published by MOHAN Foundation