Technical aspects of the recipient operation in hand transplantation.

The goal of hand allotransplantation is to achieve graft survival and useful long-term function. To achieve these goals, precise surgical technique is of critical importance. The key surgical steps and sequence of events in hand allotransplantation are similar to major upper extremity replantations, but are modified to accommodate major conceptual differences that exist between the two procedures.

The International Registry on Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation.

Background: The International Registry on Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation was founded in May 2002, and the analysis of all cases with follow-up information up to July 2010 is presented here.

Methods: From September 1998 to July 2010, 49 hands (17 unilateral and 16 bilateral hand transplantations, including 1 case of bilateral arm transplantation) have been reported, for a total of 33 patients. They were 31 men and 2 women (median age 32 years).

The international registry on hand and composite tissue transplantation.

Background: Since May 2002, all groups performing hand transplantations have supplied information to the International Registry on Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation (IRHCCT). The analysis of all cases with follow-up information up to September 2007 is presented here.

Methods: From September 1998 to September 2007, 38 hands (18 unilateral and 10 bilateral hand transplantations) and two digits have been reported to IRHCTT, for a total of 30 patients with a follow-up period ranging from 6 months to 9 years.

Second report (1998-2006) of the International Registry of Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation.

Since May 2002 all groups performing hand transplantations have supplied detailed information to the International Registry on Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation. This report provides a review of all hand transplants performed to date. From September 1998 to February 2006 eighteen male patients underwent 24 hand/forearm/digit transplantations (eleven unilateral and four bilateral hand transplantations, two bilateral forearm transplantations, one thumb transplantation).

Overexpression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule antigen in gallbladder carcinoma is an independent marker for poor survival.

Purpose: Gallbladder carcinoma is an aggressive type of cancer that is difficult to cure by conventional procedures. There thus is a need to identify novel molecular markers for the assessment of prognosis and as potential therapeutic targets. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the prognostic significance of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) overexpression in human gallbladder carcinoma.