The University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor launched a hand transplant program, the first of its kind in the state.
Here are five things to know:
1. Kagan Ozer, MD, is the surgical director of the new program. He focuses on post-traumatic reconstruction in elbow and hand surgery.
2. According to Dr. Ozer, hand transplantation can be an option for patients with amputations or injuries of the arm or hand.
3. There are only seven programs nationwide that offer hand transplants.
4. The health system plans to seek candidates aged 18 years to 65 years.
5. Candidates will be carefully screened and evaluated by a team of experts in surgery, medicine, transplantation, social work and psychiatry.