A Statistical Comparative Assessment of Face and Hand Transplantation Outcomes to Determine Whether Either Meets the Standard of Care Threshold

Abstract

Certain hand transplants arguably can be considered the standard of care. Face transplantation requires more time and patient numbers and a clearer definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria before standard of care assessment can be made.

A Methodology for Determining Standard of Care Status for a New Surgical Procedure

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Hand transplant function is superior to hook or myoelectric prosthesis. 27 Hand transplant survival is superior to solid organ transplantation. 27 Chronic rejection is significantly less than in solid organ transplantation.…”

“…27 Hand transplant survival is superior to solid organ transplantation. 27 Chronic rejection is significantly less than in solid organ transplantation. 27 The above figure prominently in the patient's consideration of risk and reward.…”

“…27 Chronic rejection is significantly less than in solid organ transplantation. 27 The above figure prominently in the patient's consideration of risk and reward. Even though hand transplantation cannot prolong life, bilateral hand transplantation gains value over kidney transplantation, for some, by giving better quality of life.…”

“…In a companion publication in this Journal, 27 these results are outlined in detail. In every area of comparison, hand transplantation is superior to its point of comparison.…”

“…There are no deaths in the hand transplant cohort as defined above. 27 Therefore, empirically, hand transplantation is much safer than all solid organ transplantations.…”