By Rick Howlett
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Surgeons at Louisville's Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center completed the state's first double hand transplant Wednesday. Lead surgeon Dr. Warren Breidenbach says the nearly 20-hour procedure went well.
"This was unique however, because the patient actually had his hands present, but they were scarred and he couldn't move them. This was from a burn."
Breidenbach says the next 24 to 48 hours will be critical.
There have been five previous hand transplants at the center. This surgery was the first time doctors have replaced both hands during one operation. It's the third double hand transplant in the nation.