Double hand transplant hailed as ‘world's first’ for scleroderma patient

Steven Gallagher was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease after developing a rash

Steven Gallagher, from Dreghorn, Ayrshire, is the first person in the world to have a double hand transplant after suffering from the rare disease scleroderma. Picture date: Tuesday May 24, 2022.

A Scottish man who overcame his fears to undergo a groundbreaking double hand transplant after his limbs were left unusable by scleroderma says the "world's first" transplant has transformed his life.

Steven Gallagher, 48, was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes scarring of the skin and internal organs, after he developed an unusual rash on his cheeks and nose about 13 years ago, along with pains in his right arm.

Doctors initially said it could be lupus, then thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome and he underwent an operation, but when the pain returned in both arms he was referred to a specialist who confirmed he had scleroderma.

The condition affected areas including his nose, mouth and hands and, about seven years ago, his fingers started curling in until they were in a fist position and he was suffering “horrendous” pain.

“My hands started to close, it got to the point where it was basically two fists, my hands were unusable, I couldn’t do a thing apart from lift things with two hands," he said. “I could not grab anything, it was a struggle to get dressed and things like that."

He was referred to Prof Andrew Hart, a consultant plastic and hand surgeon in Glasgow, who mentioned the possibility of a double hand transplant.

Mr Gallagher, from Dreghorn in North Ayrshire, initially brushed off the idea, but later discussed the operation with Prof Simon Kay of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

“At the time I laughed and thought that’s space age kind of things but, after thinking about it for a wee while, I spoke more to Professor Hart, and I went down to Leeds and spoke to Professor Kay," Mr Gallagher said.

“They were really understanding and were really open about what might happen, that I could lose my hands altogether, they said it was unlikely but it was a risk.

“My wife and I spoke about it and came to the agreement to go for it. I could end up losing my hands anyway, so it was just a case of letting them know I was going to go with it.”

Mr Gallagher had to undergo psychological evaluation to ensure he was prepared for the prospect of a transplant.

He then underwent the 12-hour operation in mid December after a suitable donor was found.

The hand transplant team at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, which carried out the operation, said it was the first time anywhere in the world that hand transplantation has been used to replace hands terminally affected by scleroderma.

Mr Gallagher said: “After the operation I woke up and it was quite surreal because before it I had my hands and then when I woke up from the operation I still had hands so in my head I never really lost any hands.

“These hands are amazing, everything has happened so quickly. From the moment I woke up from the operation I could move them.

“It has given me a new lease of life. I’m still finding things hard just now but things are getting better every week with the physio and the occupational therapists, everything is just slowly getting better.

“The pain is the big thing. The pain before the operation was horrendous, I was on so much pain relief it was unbelievable, but now I’ve no pain at all.”

Mr Gallagher, who has three daughters aged 12, 24 and 27, spent about four weeks in Leeds General Infirmary following the operation and has regular visits to hospitals in Glasgow for physiotherapy and monitoring.

More than five months on from the operation, his condition is improving and although he cannot do tasks requiring great dexterity, such as doing up buttons, he can do things like stroke his dog, turn on the tap and fill a glass of water.

The 48-year-old worked as a roof tiler and was made assistant contracts manager but had to stop work due to his condition.

He is now hoping to return to some kind of work once his hands have improved enough, and is very grateful to the person and family of the donor who made the transplant possible.

The surgery involved a 30-strong team of professionals.

Prof Kay said: “This operation has been a huge team effort with input from our colleagues here in Leeds and in Glasgow.

“Having a hand transplant is very different from a kidney or other organ transplant, as hands are something we see every day and we use them in so many ways.

“For this reason, we and our expert clinical psychologists assess and prepare patients, in order to be sure that they will be able to cope psychologically with the permanent reminder of their transplant, and the risk the body may reject the transplanted hands.”