Anamta Becomes World’s First Female to Receive Shoulder-Level Arm Transplant

 

Mumbai: “Gleneagles Hospital”, Parel celebrated a historic medical achievement as 15-year-old Anamta Ahmad, the youngest recipient of a shoulder-level total arm transplant, was discharged. The groundbreaking surgery was performed by Dr. Nilesh Satbhai, Head of Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery, and Transplantation, and his team, marking a major milestone in the world of transplant surgery. Anamta's surgery lasted 12 hours, and her remarkable recovery has inspired many.

Two years ago, during a vacation in Aligarh, Anamta suffered severe burns from an electric shock, which led to gangrene and the amputation of her right hand. Despite facing refusals from hospitals across India and abroad, her family’s persistence led them to Dr. Nilesh Satbhai at 'Gleneagles Hospital', who took on the challenge. Anamta was placed on the transplant list and waited over a year for a suitable donor, eventually receiving a hand from a 9-year-old brain-dead donor in Surat.

Anamta’s transplant has made her the youngest person in the world to receive a successful shoulder-level arm transplant and the first female to undergo such a procedure. Despite the challenges ahead in her recovery, Anamta expressed deep gratitude to the donor’s family and the medical team. She shared her determination to regain full functionality over the next year and pursue her future with newfound hope.

Dr. Nilesh Satbhai emphasized the complexity of the surgery, especially given the proximity to vital blood vessels and nerves. The transplant required meticulous vascular and nerve repairs to ensure survival. Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital, highlighted the growing interest in hand transplants following this success, positioning the hospital as a leader in reconstructive transplantation.

This remarkable surgery represents not only a medical breakthrough but also a story of hope and resilience.