My new hand.

The programme documents the first hand transplant in Britain which took place at Leeds General Infirmary under the direction of Professor Simon Kay, Consultant Plastic Surgeon. As the programme acknowledges the procedure has been performed around 80 times elsewhere in the world. The programme introduces us to four possible recipients; Dean Smarm [sp?] who lost his hands and feet to septicaemia; Sarah Hayward, a hairdresser, who lost her hand in a car crash; Mark Cahill, a former pub landlord who has a paralysed hand and Edna Kerr, a retired carer, who suffered from a viral infection. The problems of selecting a good candidate for the surgery and adapting to a stranger's hand are explored. The nine hour surgery is shown in some detail. We see the lifeless donor hand being prepared and attached to the recipients arm. Clinical staff featured include; Dan Wilks, Plastic Surgeon Registrar; Maggie Bellew, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Sarah Taplin, Senior Physiotherapist.