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Apr 2, 2009 3:08 pm US/Eastern
Former Marine Receives Hand Transplant At UPMC
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Former Marine Josh Maloney is making progress in his recovery after a hand transplant in March at UPMC.
KDKA
A former Marine who received a hand transplant at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center last month is making some remarkable progress in his recovery.
This morning, former Marine Josh Maloney, 24, met with the media at UPMC Montefiore.
His hand transplant surgery, the first at UPMC, took place on March 16th. Experts say it's only the sixth successful hand transplant in the United States.
Maloney is a graduate of Bethel Park High School. Officials say he lost his right hand in a military training accident in January of 2007.
On March 14th, Maloney underwent the 11 hour surgery, which doctors say appears to be a success.
They also say they believe that in about six to 12 months he could have significantly improved sensation and movement in his hand.
His doctors say Maloney is now in daily occupational therapy and under observation for rejection of the limb.
He said it was a very emotional experience for both him and his family.
"I feel great. I mean, it's the opportunity, obviously, of a lifetime," said Maloney. "I get my life back. It's going to take some work, but thanks to Dr. Lee and his team and everybody here, what I had originally thought after I had got hurt I would be limited to, I am no longer."
Also, the doctors say they hope to perform more of the surgeries and currently have two people on the list waiting for a hand donor.
"This was the first time that a major academic institution has taken on a hand transplant program with a goal of reducing the amount of anti-rejection medications for the patient," said Dr. Andrew Lee, of UPMC. "Our study protocol has been approved by our institutional review board and is supported by the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine and UPMC."
Maloney received his hand from an 18-year-old male organ donor from West Virginia.
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