Donor–recipient matching in hand transplantation: a comparison of anthropometric measurements, 3-dimensional virtual models and printed epitheses

Abstract

Donor–recipient matching in hand transplantation remains challenging. The usefulness of three-dimensional (3-D) virtual models and printed epitheses were compared with measurements on cadaveric extremities to evaluate the most accurate method of donor–recipient matching for allograft procurement. Ten anthropometric measurements were recorded from 12 human cadaveric upper extremities and matched to printed epitheses and 3-D virtual models. Five circumferential and two longitudinal measurements obtained an intra-class correlation of >0.75 with all three methods, with the Kaplan (0.973) and wrist circumferences (0.942) achieving the highest concordance. Measurement on cadaveric specimens was the most reliable method. Using different combinations of donor hand and recipient forearms, a series of 72 virtual transplantations were then created, and their compatibility rated by ten transplant surgeons. The results confirmed that anthropometric measurements, obtained directly from potential human donor limbs and based on wrist circumference as the primary parameter, provide the best and most clinically relevant donor–recipient match.