January 26, 2001
FOR MORE INFORMATION:	Linda McGinity Jackson, Jewish Hospital Barbara Mackovic, Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center, PLLC

(Louisville, Kentucky) The nation's first successful hand transplant recipient, Matthew Scott, "graduated with flying colors," said hand surgeon, Warren C. Breidenbach, III, M.D., following his check-up.

Scott underwent a series of evaluations and tests January 25-26 at Jewish Hospital and Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center marking the two-year anniversary of the landmark procedure. His wife, Dawn, and sons, Ian and Jeremy, accompanied Scott to Louisville for the exams.

"I am far better than what I was two years ago with a prosthesis," says Scott at a Jewish Hospital press briefing today. He continues to have therapy twice a week to gain additional function in his new left hand.

Evaluations by physicians during Scott's visit included a biopsy, nerve conduction analysis, physical therapy and orthotics assessment and other laboratory tests. "Matt's biospy showed no signs of rejection and he has not had a rejection episode in the past 17 months. Three episodes were reported following surgery, which were expected and treated with medication. Matt's medication dosage has been lowered, but he will remain on the anti-rejection drugs for the life of the hand transplant," said transplant surgeon Darla K. Granger, M.D.

"We know we can successfully transplant a hand and control the immunosuppressive drugs and during Matt's exam yesterday, he demonstrated increased sensitivity and increased motor function," explained Dr. Breidenbach. "We couldn't be more pleased with Matt's function and sensory results. With a score of zero to 100, zero being the absence of a hand, 100 being a normal hand, a prosthesis being 20-25, Matt's scores a 55 with function and sensory activities. It is encouraging that his hand continues to improve. We are going to keep our fingers crossed."

"It may be five years or more before we know the full extent of Matt's function. Based on a replanted hand, it is normal for one to continue to gain hand function for five years following surgery," he added.

"Even though Matt does not see a huge increase in function from one year ago, he has continued to do a number of functional things with greater ease and speed," said hand therapist Anne Hodges. "He has increased his pinch strength with his thumb and fingers, handles coins, and newspapers, and hand out test results to his students where he teaches without difficulty."

Scott received his new left hand January 24-25, 1999, when surgeons from the University of Louisville and Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center, PLLC, performed the 15-hour procedure at Jewish Hospital. The hand transplant team is prepared to perform another transplant and currently has a candidate listed with Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates. The hand transplant procedure is expected to greatly impact the future of transplantation and reconstructive surgery. The Louisville hand transplant program was developed through a partnership with physicians and researchers at Jewish Hospital, the University of Louisville and Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center, PLLC.