British first double hand transplant"successfully" completed

Leeds General Infirmary announced Friday that a team of eight surgeons has successfully undertaken Britain's first double hand transplant.

The patient, 57-year-old Chris King, lost the four fingers of each hand in an accident involving a metal pressing machine at work three years ago.

In this latest surgical breakthrough, the team at Leeds General Infirmary led by Professor Simon Kay completed the transplant in a lengthy operation lasting more than 10 hours.

A few days on from the operation, King has already had some movement in his new hands, according to the Leeds General Infirmary.

"They're my hands. They really are my hands. My blood's going through them. My tendons are attached," said King.

This is "the first time as far as I'm aware, that a hand transplant's been done which hasn't been above the wrist, which has been within the substance of the hand, which makes it much more difficult and more complex", said Professor Kay.

Professor Kay also said there could be a psychological impact on the patient of receiving hands from a donor.

British first single hand transplant was carried out in 2012 by Kay. The patient, former pub landlord Mark Cahill, received a new right hand after his own became badly affected by gout and infection. Endit