Two Years Later, Hand Transplant Deemed a Success

Two years after performing the nation’s first hand transplant, doctors are optimistic about repeating their success.

Matthew Scott, 39, who lost his left hand in a fireworks accident 16 years ago, is now able to pour a 2-liter bottle and punch the buttons on a cell phone.

Doctors who completed the landmark procedure on Jan. 25, 1999, expressed confidence about performing a second transplant, though so far there are no eligible donors.

Scott underwent a checkup Friday at Jewish Hospital, where the transplant was performed by surgeons from Kleinert, Kutz & Associates Hand Care Center and the University of Louisville medical school.

“I can assure you there will be another transplant,” said Dr. Warren Breidenbach, the lead surgeon who conducted the 15-hour operation.

Doctors concluded that, while Scott’s progress slowed after the first year, they were still impressed with his improvement.

Within three months of the surgery he could write his name. By last year he could tie his shoes and deal cards.

Besides therapy, he takes immunosuppressive medication to prevent his body from rejecting the hand.

Worldwide, there have been 13 successful hand transplants involving immunosuppressives in China, Italy and France.

Scott, who now teaches paramedical sciences at a New Jersey community college, also believes he has come a long way.

“I don’t have to take my hand off to take a bath,” Scott said, referring to when he used to wear a prosthetic hand.

The new hand was attached about 3 down inches from the wrist.

Breidenbach said Scott still needs to develop his hand’s fine muscles, the ones that allow him to spread his fingers apart and tuck in the thumb.

But on a scale of one to 100--one being handless--Scott currently scores a 55, Breidenbach said.