In a remarkable medical achievement, Twinkle Dogra, a 38-year-old PhD scholar at AIIMS Rishikesh, has regained the use of her hands after a successful 12-hour transplant surgery at a private hospital in Faridabad, Haryana.
The procedure was part of a multi-organ transplant, where five patients received life-saving organs from a 76-year-old deceased donor. Twinkle was one of the recipients, undergoing a double hand transplant, while others received a kidney transplant, corneal transplant, and lung transplant.
A Milestone in Indian Medical History
Dr. Mohit Sharma, Head of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Amrita Hospital, called the procedure a major breakthrough, highlighting the complexity of hand transplants due to the involvement of multiple tissue types and the need for higher levels of immunosuppression.
“This successful multi-organ transplant represents a significant milestone in India’s medical history. Hand transplantation is particularly challenging as it involves multiple tissue types and requires higher levels of immunosuppression due to the skin’s heightened immune response,” Dr. Sharma stated.
He further added, “The success of this procedure demonstrates Amrita Hospital’s capability to handle the most complex surgical challenges. Moreover, the fact that five different recipients have benefitted from one donor’s generous gift of life makes this case even more remarkable.”
Twinkle Dogra’s Emotional Journey
Twinkle lost her hands in a tragic live wire incident, but this transplant has given her a second chance at life.
Expressing her gratitude to the donor, their family, and the medical team, she said:
“I never imagined that I would have a second lease on life, but this transplant has given me one. After learning about Amrita Hospital, Kochi’s first limb transplant in 2015, I saw a ray of hope. In addition to restoring my hand mobility, the knowledge and commitment of the medical staff at Amrita Hospital have given me fresh hope for the future. From handling early recovery issues to receiving intensive physical and occupational treatment, the doctors and rehabilitation team have helped me at every stage.”
She also acknowledged the support of clinical psychologists, which kept her motivated throughout the journey.
“As my hand function improves, I feel more independent and optimistic. I am forever grateful to the donor, their family, and the incredible medical team that made this possible,” she added.
India Leading in Hand Transplantation
The complex procedure involved four distinct surgical teams, along with specialists from nephrology, ophthalmology, and critical care.
Dr. Sharma highlighted India’s growing leadership in hand transplantation, stating:
“We started research and practice, and in 2015, we performed India’s first double upper limb transplant, which has been successful for 10 years. Since then, India has taken a lead over many other countries. Our teams have also trained other centers.”
He further revealed, “There are now almost eight centers in India performing upper limb transplants. India has now completed nearly 40% of the world’s total hand transplants, making us a global leader in this field.”