Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Research and Clinical Trials
Pittsburgh Hand Transplantation Program
The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UPMC invites participants with loss of the hand or forearm to enroll in a new study that has been approved by the UPMC Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Hand transplantation is a relatively novel field with 37 hands transplanted around the world in the past 8 years. Patients undergoing the procedure need to take multiple medications to avoid rejection of the graft. The use of such drugs is necessary for the transplanted limb and is associated with possible risk of side effects. A treatment protocol established at UPMC has been successful in kidney and liver transplants in reducing drug treatment after surgery. Graft survival has been possible with only one drug at very low doses. The goal of our study is to achieve hand transplantation under this protocol with minimum drug therapy and reduce long-term risk. Subjects enrolled in the study will be followed for life.
Preliminary Eligibility Criteria for Study Enrolment:
- Your age is between 18 years and 60 years
- Your amputation must be at the wrist or at the forearm level
If you fulfill these minimum criteria, you may call the UPMC study coordinator at 412-648-9207. If you get an automated message, please include a telephone number and a good time to contact you.
You may be required to share your personal health information to be considered as a potential candidate for hand transplantation. Based on your information, you may by invited to visit Pittsburgh to meet with the principal investigator on the study (W. P. Andrew Lee, MD) and undergo further medical and clinical evaluation to assess your suitability as a prospective candidate for the procedure.