U.S. immigration focuses on life in the United States: On July 28, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia announced that 8-year-old Zion Harvey successfully underwent a double hand transplant, becoming the youngest double hand transplant recipient in the world.
The surgery took place in early July and lasted for 10 hours. The surgical team consisted of 40 doctors, nurses, and other personnel from various specialties including plastic surgery, orthopedics, anesthesiology, and radiology. According to reports from Agence France-Presse, the surgical process was long and arduous. The doctors first needed to connect the bones and blood vessels. Once blood circulation was established, they proceeded to connect the tendons, muscles, and nerves.
Harvey had previously undergone amputations of both hands and feet due to illness and had also received a kidney transplant due to a severe infection. However, despite losing his hands, he learned to eat, write, and even play games.
In 2011, the United States successfully performed its first double hand transplant on an adult male. Levin stated that this provided valuable experience for the complex and meticulous surgery.
Benjamin Chang, the director of the hospital's hand transplant program, mentioned that Harvey had been taking anti-rejection medication following his kidney transplant, thus meeting the surgical requirements for the double hand transplant. According to the doctors, Harvey should be able to go home in a few weeks. Harvey hopes to throw a football with his new hands in the future.