Over the last two decades, 113 vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) of the hand have been performed in 76 patients globally. The procedure that was once regarded as experimental has certainly emerged as a clinical reality with multiple centers worldwide now performing it. The psychological and physical impact of losing an upper extremity is profound. Amputees face significant challenges contributing to disability and dependence even with activities of daily living. Hand transplantation offers functions with restoring sensation, voluntary motor control, and proprioception, as well as a sense of feeling "whole" again. Along with these benefits, however, transplantation carries a significant risk profile attributed to the complications of life-long immunosuppression and possible rejection. Moreover, the procedure carries a significant financial burden to the health care system. As hand VCA is becoming more widely accepted and performed worldwide, there are still many challenges that will face its rapid growth. This review highlights some of the challenges facing hand VCA including patient selection, effect on quality of life, financial burden, functional outcomes, and complications of immunosuppression.
Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is an acute, rapidly fatal, fungal infection, classically involving the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses. It is an aggressive, opportunistic infection that frequently progresses to involve the orbit and cerebrum. Cerebral extension in immunocompromised patients is almost universally fatal. There are limited data on mucormycosis in pediatric immunocompromised patients in the literature, with only few reports on rhinocerebral involvement. The immunocompromised patients described in this report presented with suspected periorbital and nasal cellulitis, progressing rapidly to necrotic changes in nasal tissue and oral palatal mucosa. In these patients, the surgical resection of mucormycosis-infected tissue followed by flap reconstruction combined with medical treatment effectively treated the infection, allowed for the rapid resumption of chemotherapy and dramatically improved the quality of life for both the patient and their family.
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