Zion Harvey, an 8-year-old boy who lost his hands and lower legs at the age of 2, has become the world's first child bilateral hand transplant recipient. Now, with his newly acquired hands, Harvey's future finally looks brighter.
Zion Harvey's hand surgery took place at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). According to the hospital's YouTube video caption, the bilateral hand transplant called vascularized composite allotransplantation was led by Dr. L. Scott Levin and Dr. Benjamin Chang, who direct the Hand Transplantation at CHOP. The team was composed of 12 surgeons, 8 nurses and 4 anesthesiologists, among others.
Before receiving the bilateral hand transplant, Zion Harvey, who lost his hands and lower legs at a very young age, had undergone kidney failure as a result of the infection. At the age of 4, he had a kidney transplant, with his mother as the donor. Zion became an ideal candidate for hand transplant because of taking immunosuppressant drugs after the transplant. Eventually, he was listed to receive the donated hands after more than 18 months of evaluation and preparation.
So, what's next for Zion Harvey? Despite having a bright future ahead now after undergoing the bilateral hand transplant, Dr. L. Scott Levin told USA Today that Zion will be a lifelong patient, who will require constant vigilance.
"He will be a patient life-long," Levin said during a phone interview. "When you do this kind of transplant as a surgeon, your patients become members of your family and I say that with enthusiasm."
When Levin was asked about Zion Harvey's progress, the doctor said that the boy has started therapy to gain use of the new hands nearly a week after his operation and has improved every day. Levin also said that Zion is a determined patient and has exceeded all their expectations.
Meanwhile, Zion Harvey's mom Pattie Ray revealed that she made the decision for her son to undergo the bilateral hand transplant from a medical standpoint but the hand surgery was really her son's decision.
"I made the decision from a medical standpoint, but ultimately, to have the surgery was Zion's decision," Zion's mother Pattie Ray told TIME. "He wanted to do what other children can do without so much trouble."
As Zion Harvey continues to inspire several YouTube viewers, one viewer asked and commented if his new hands will be to grow as the boy ages.
"Yes, doctors expect that the transplanted hands will grow with Zion," CHOP responded "Children's bones have sections called growth plates, from which new bone tissue is produced until the bones reach adult size. The surgeons were very careful to keep the growth plates intact during his surgical procedure."
Zion Harvey's story and his charismatic personality captivated the public when CHOP shared the successful bilateral hand transplant Tuesday via a video on YouTube and a statement.
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