Raj Kumar, aged 45 and residing in Nangloi, faced a life-altering incident when he was struck by a train while crossing the railway tracks near his home on his bicycle, resulting in the loss of his upper limbs. Now, undergoing a bilateral hand transplant at a private hospital in the national capital, Kumar, a painter by profession, is on the path toward reclaiming a semblance of normalcy in his life.
Following an approximately six-week stay at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Kumar is set to be discharged on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in his recovery journey. Dr. Mahesh Mangal, the chairman of the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at the hospital, noted that Kumar's accident left him reliant on others for his daily tasks.
On January 19, a specialized team of surgeons embarked on a meticulous endeavor, intricately reattaching various components such as bones, arteries, veins, tendons, muscles, nerves, and skin during the complex hand transplant surgery. Dr. Mangal emphasized the crucial role of precision and expertise in seamlessly integrating the transplanted hands into Kumar's body.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Kumar recounted the incident where his bicycle got ensnared on the tracks, leading to the devastating outcome. Before the transplant surgery, Kumar explored options such as prosthetics, albeit unsuccessfully, leaving him with the hope of a hand transplant as his only recourse.
The historic surgery, made possible by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital becoming the first facility in north India to be granted permission for hand transplant procedures in February of the previous year, offered Kumar a newfound sense of optimism. His fortuitous opportunity arose through the generosity of a retired vice-principal's family, who expressed their willingness to donate her organs posthumously.
While Kumar embarks on the path to recovery, he will rely on immunosuppressant medication for the rest of his life to prevent rejection of the transplanted hands. As sensation gradually returns and nerves reconnect, Kumar will undergo a period of adaptation, requiring vigilance to avoid extreme temperatures and infections.
Furthermore, Kumar will need to prioritize cleanliness, wear protective masks, and exercise caution during flu season. Despite receiving hands from a female donor, Kumar can anticipate the eventual growth of hair on his hands, with any surgery marks expected to fade over time.
