British Dad With Scleroderma Receives Double Hand Transplant

Steven Gallagher Double Hand Transplant Scleroderma

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald May 28, 07:09 pm

Photo: (Photo : SANKET WANKHADE/AFP via Getty Images)

A British dad who lost the use of his two hands to a rare disease has had them both replaced in a world-first operation. Steven Gallagher suffered from scleroderma, a medical condition where the skin hardens and tightens.

The 48-year-old was in horrendous pain as his fingers and hands started curling into fists, leaving Gallagher unable to pick things up or even get dressed for that matter. A lot has changed since he underwent a double hand transplant back in December, though, with the dad of three now able to turn on a tap and fill a glass of water as well as stroke his dog.

The 12-hour operation using a donor's hands is believed to be a world-first for someone with scleroderma. Gallagher can't hide his delight with his new body parts, telling the BBC that his hands are amazing and from the moment he woke up from the operation, he could move them.

Gallagher given a new lease of life after double hand transplant

Gallagher added that it has given him a new lease of life. He said that the pain before the operation forced him to be on so much pain relief. Gallagher said he now has no pain at all.

The Dreghorn, North Ayrshire native was diagnosed with scleroderma 13 years ago. The autoimmune disease causes scarring of internal organs and the skin. The condition affected the Scot's hands, nose, and mouth and seven years ago his fingers started curling in.

Gallagher said that it got to the point where his hands were basically two fists and they were both unusable. He said that he could not do a thing apart from lifting things with two hands. Gallagher said he could not grab anything and it was a struggle to get dressed and things like that.

Gallagher was referred to Professor Andrew Hart, a consultant plastic and hand surgeon based in Glasgow. He was the one who first raised the possibility of a double hand transplant for Steven, according to the Guardian.

After further conversations with Hart, Gallagher also talked to Professor Simon Kay, a consultant plastic surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust who led the United Kingdom's first double hand transplant operation in 2016.

Gallagher's operation involved a 30-strong team

Both Hart and Kay outlined the risks involved to Gallagher, with the two of them saying that he could lose his hands altogether. Gallagher talked to his wife and came to an agreement that he should go for it.

Gallagher, who has three daughters aged 27, 24 and 12, had to undergo psychological evaluation to ensure he was prepared for the hand transplant. His operation involved a 30-strong team of professionals from many disciplines and was carried out in a Leeds hospital over a long 12-hour period in December 2021 after a suitable donor was found.

According to the New York Post, Gallagher hopes to be back on the job after giving up his work as a roofer because of his condition.