A Mexican Becomes The First Latin American To Get Double Arm Transplantation

The Mexican, Granados with 2 Transplanted Arms

Gabriel Granados Vergara, 52, after he received a double arm transplant at the National Institute of Medical Science and Nutrition (INCMN) in Mexico City. Mexican health authorities announced on Thursday the first double arms transplant in Latin America. Mr. Granados lost both arms below the elbows due to an electrical accident. The Arms of the Mexican which were severely burned by electricity were amputated just below the elbow and he received the arms of a 34-year-old shooting victim, said Dr. Martin Iglesias, head of the surgical team that performed the operation.

Granados related to a news conference that the transplant was terrific but he has begun feeling his new hands.He said "it is wonderful that after being without hands for some time, all of a sudden I see and begin to feel new hands.,” Granados is an agent in the finance unit of Mexico City's prosecutors' office.

The surgery was in early May, but Granados was discharged from the hospital this week. Doctors said he has recovered well.

Granados' arms were amputated after they were badly burned in January 2011, when he received an electrical shock while giving instructions to a group of construction workers building a fence.

Before the surgery, doctors say they practiced the procedure on corpses. This is a very special day for Mexico from a scientific point of view, said Dr. Fernando Gabilondo, director of Mexico City's National Institute of Medical Science and Nutrition Salvador Zubiran, where the surgery was performed. Mexican doctors say there are other 23 patients waiting for arms transplant although only six could be successfully done.

FRANCIS TAWIAH (Duisburg - Germany)