8-year-old boy who lost limbs to gangrene receives double hand transplant

                  A happy Zion showing off his new hands                         ©AP

Zion Harvey, 8, has become the youngest recipient of a double-hand transplant. Zion lost his limbs at two years due to a gangrene infection. He was able to get a leg prosthetic which has allowed him to be very active, including walking, running and jumping. He has overtime learn to use his forearms to write, eat and play video games but his mom, Pattie Ray, wanted more for her son.
They got prosthetic for his hands as well but they weren’t satisfied with the outcome until a doctor suggested that transplants could be an option for Zion. Ray says the decision to go through with the procedure was completely her son’s.

                     Zion before the surgery              ©Children'sHospitalofPhiladelphia

Zion received the hands earlier this month at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was an 11-hour operation comprising of 40 medical personnel, led by Dr. L. Scott. It was reported that they had practiced extensively on cadavers before attempting the operation. They used steel plates and screws to attach the old and new bones. Surgeons then delicately reconnected arteries, veins, muscles, tendons and nerves.

                                                                                         ©Children'sHospitalofPhiladelphia

                       Zion after the surgery                ©Children'sHospitalofPhiladelphia

             Zion with mom, Pattie Ray          ©AP

The surgery may be a silver lining for children who are living without hands.