Hand transplant patient goes home

The second person in the United States to receive a hand transplant returned home to Jackson, Mich., on April 17, three months after the experimental transplant was performed at Louisville's Jewish Hospital by surgeons from Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center and UofL.

"I am looking forward to just being at home to hold my baby boy and play with my sons," said Jerry Fisher, a self-employed contractor.

Dr. Warren Breidenbach, lead hand transplant surgeon with Kleinert, Kutz and Associates, said he was "extremely pleased with Jerry's progress."

"His function continues to improve, he has great pinch and grip strength, and is ahead of the schedule we anticipated," Breidenbach said.

"Jerry has graduated from here and will go back home to resume a normal life while continuing his hand therapy sessions at the University of Michigan."

The nation's first hand transplant was performed in 1999 at Jewish Hospital, also by surgeons from Kleinert, Kutz and Associates, and UofL.