Open AccessChanging Attitudes Toward Hand Allotransplantation Among North American Hand Surgeons
Author(s) -
Anthony A. Bertrand,
Subhro K. Sen,
Leo R. Otake,
Gordon K. Lee
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
annals of plastic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1536-3708
pISSN - 0148-7043
DOI - 10.1097/sap.0000000000000147
Subject(s) - medicine , allotransplantation , immunosuppression , quality of life (healthcare) , surgery , transplantation , intensive care medicine , nursing
Although more than 70 hand transplants have been performed worldwide, the appropriate clinical indications for this operation are still being determined. Cost and patient exposure to the challenges of lifelong immunosuppression for what is a quality of life-improving (but not life-saving) operation are the focus of the ongoing discussion. A study performed in 2007 showed that surgeons' opinions on the issue varied widely. Recently, more information has been made available regarding long-term patient outcomes, and significant improvements in immunotherapy protocols have been reported. In light of this, we sought to examine changing attitudes regarding hand allotransplantation and its indications by surveying hand surgeons.