In cases like Zion's, having medical insurance is imperative. This young Baltimore boy has two new transplanted hands to replace ones he lost to amputation five years ago. Zion Harvey, 8, was put under for 10 hours while doctors performed this "modern miracle."
Zion's hands and feet were amputated when he was 3 years old, following a severe infection that caused his kidneys to fail, said his mother. The kidney failure interrupted blood flow to his hands and feet, prompting amputation. The boy received a kidney transplant following his illness, and his body's successful response to anti rejection drugs in the years following that surgery paved the way for him to receive his new hands, doctors said. During the surgery, the hands and forearms from the donor were attached by connecting bone, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, tendons and skin. This surgery is more than complex and took doctors 17 years to perfect and perform this surgery on a child.
Zion will spend several weeks in rehab before he goes home. Doctors will continue to follow Zion monthly in the short-term, and then annually for life to make sure his body does not reject the limbs.
Children's Hospital said it would not hold the family liable for any costs beyond that which may be covered by medical insurance.