Double Hand Transplant Patient 'Whole Again'

The UK's first recipient of a double hand transplant says the result is "better than a lottery win because you feel whole again".

Chris King, 57, lost both hands - except the thumbs - in a work accident involving a metal pressing machine three years ago.

But in the last 10 days, Professor Simon Kay led a team of eight surgeons in a 12-hour operation at Leeds General Infirmary to replace Mr King's hands.

Mr King, from Rossington, near Doncaster, said his hands already have some movement, adding: "My blood's going through them, my tendons are attached.

"They're mine - they really are."

Mr King had spent the past three years adapting parts of his life so he could manage without hands, including having a bicycle specially made and wearing Velcro shirts, as he could not manage buttons.

He returned to work at Eaton Lighting in Doncaster after the accident, where he said the firm had been "brilliant", adding: "They just took me in and said: 'Chris, we'll find something for you to do'."

He visited doctors in Sheffield, who talked about possible reconstructive surgery but he said: "Something was telling me, no, there's something better out there."

Then he was referred to Professor Kay, a consultant plastic surgeon, who introduced him to Mark Cahill, the first person to have a single hand transplant in the UK in 2012.

Mr Cahill encouraged Mr King to have a transplant and the two are now good friends.

Mr King is now looking forward to holding a can of beer properly, gardening with his ride-on mower, trimming the hedge and even just shaking hands when meeting people.

The anonymous donor who changed Mr King's life also donated his upper limbs and other organs, according to his brother, who gave a statement on behalf of the family.

"Obviously, we are devastated by our loss but we know that our brother would have been proud to have played a part in saving and transforming so many people's lives," he said.

"We are pleased that the double hand transplant operation was able to go ahead, and all of our family send our best wishes to the recipient."

Mr King encouraged people to become donors, saying: "Even if you don't have a (donor) card, just have a conversation with your family. There's no greater gift."

Professor Kay said people had been slow to donate but that was "entirely understandable" when hand transplantation was so unusual.

But he added: "I think, now that hand transplantation is a reality and people can see the good it does, I hope they'll consider making that donation as readily as they do a liver and kidney and heart and lungs."