Kodi Azari, Persian-American Surgeon, Performs First Western Hand Transplant

Posted on April 20, 2011

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Margarita, Spotlight.vitals.com

A young mom from California tragically lost her hand in a car accident and has been living with a prosthetic while taking care of her daughter.

Dr. Kodi Azari and a team of 20 surgeons and supporting staff was able to successfully complete a 14 1/2-hour transplant surgery at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. First of it’s kind, the surgery consisted of reconnecting “bones, blood vessels, nerves and tendons between the hand from a deceased donor and the recipient.”

The patient was able to move the fingers on her new hand soon after the surgery. She still requires several months of rehabilitation and will have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life, the AP reported. (health.usnews.com)

UCLA launches Hand Transplant Program

UCLA’s first hand transplant patient adapting well to new hand

Posted in: Health, Leadership