8-year-old boy becomes youngest double-hand transplant patient

Surgeons believe 8-year-old Zion Harvey is the youngest to receive a double-hand transplant. The boy lost both of his hands over a severe infection years ago and opted to go through a transplant with the support of his parents. After the initial success of the operation, there was one complication, which was remedied immediately by the surgeons.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Zion received his new pair of hands earlier this month, but doctors only disclosed the information this week. The medical team from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that performed the operation consisted of 40 people and utilized steel plates and screws to attach the bones of the new hands to the arm's bones.

The doctors also reconnected arteries and veins, the muscles, nerves and tendons all carefully, according to reports released after official statement.

Due to the gangrene infection, Zion needed to go through a kidney transplant, with the donor being his mother. The bright, active boy was not hindered from experiencing fun with his peers - a leg prosthetic enabled him to walk, jump and run.

He also attends school and learned writing using his forearms; he also used them to eat and even play video games. Yet, his mother, Pattie Ray, wanted him to have the best, despite the risk of surgeries, after being dissatisfied with trying prototypes.

A doctor suggested for the family to consider the transplant, but she said it was Zion's decision in the end. "It was Zion's decision. If he wanted them we were going to get them. If he didn't, we weren't," said Ray in an interview with the Baltimore Sun. Zion's newly-attached hands turned white at one point, leading the surgeons to fix a connection with an artery.

Zion will spend some time in physical rehab, but his body appears to have adjusted to the hands fine.

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