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WORLD’S FIRST LEG TRANSPANT IN SPAIN

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Dave Bull / 2010-04-27 11:36:29

Spain is to perform the world's first leg transplant this summer and the breakthrough operation could offer hope to millions of amputees and injured war veterans.
The amazing news comes after health chiefs in Spain decided to give surgeon Pedro Cavadas the go-ahead for the pioneering operation next month. The latest medical breakthrough was revealed just a day after it emerged surgeons in Barcelona had performed the world's first full-face transplant.

Cavadas, who has already carried out a partial face transplant and three arm transplants, plans to perform a double leg transplant using limbs from a dead donor.
The unnamed recipient, who would otherwise face life in a wheelchair, had both legs amputated above the knee after an accident but the country's regional health chiefs still have to rubber stamp (pardon the pun..) the procedure and will decide whether to approve the operation at a meeting at the end of May.

 Medics will then alert hospitals nationwide to try to identify a donor.

Tags: Leg, Transplant, Barcelona