Double Amputee Armed With Optimism

Successful Transplant Gives Back German Farmer Both Arms Lost In Accident Six Years Ago

(AP)  A German farmer who received the world's first complete double arm transplant said Wednesday that incredulity gave way to joy when he woke from surgery to discover he had arms again.

Karl Merk, who lost his arms in a farming accident six years ago, said he at first could not believe that the transplant appeared to have been successful.

"It was really overwhelming when I saw that I had arms again," said the 54-year-old, who wore a sleeveless black shirt showing clearly where his new arms had been grafted.

"These are my arms, and I'm not giving them away again," he told reporters at the Munich University Clinic where he remains nearly three months after the 15-hour operation.

Merk is recovering well and can perform simple tasks such as opening doors and turning lights on and off. His ultimate goals are to eat and dress himself - and ride a motorcycle.

"All in all, our wildest expectations have pretty much been fulfilled," said Christoph Hoehnke, one of the lead doctors.

A total of 40 surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and other support staff carried out the 15-hour operation on July 25-26 to graft the donor's arms on to the body of Merk, who lost his own just below the shoulder in a combine harvester accident.

Doctors said there were good indications of nerve growth in the arms but it could take up to two years before he relearns how to use his hands.

Merk appeared at the news conference Wednesday with lower arms bandaged and supported with a series of straps attached to shoulder pads.

Merk said he was looking forward to going home after four to six more weeks of an intensive program of physiotherapy, electric stimulation and psychological counseling.

There is also still a risk that Merk's immune system will react, though doctors said so far there was no sign of them being rejected.

[hober_mallow]

"... Where do they get people to write titles like this one? I once read where punning is the lowest form of humor. I would submit this title as a sterling example..."

You really have to HAND it to the author of this one. He put his FINGER right on the main point of the topic. So a big THUMBS up to him.

OK, I SHOULDER the blame for my impertinence.

[presjfk]

Where did the arms come from?

[j_flood]

Where do they get people to write titles like this one? I once read where punning is the lowest form of humor. I would submit this title as a sterling example...

[checkthepast]

Great article, horrible title.

Posted by Inketolstoy

I agree, and isn''t there something in the Geneva convention about giving arms to Germans?

[swingset4u]

After he gets movement back in his hands maybe he can be a donor for the stems cell testicle research story next door!

[spadeisspade]

Ahhh...if optimisms were appendages....

[heero78-2009]

I hear the american donor got a $1000 gas card.

[toolmangler-2009]

Das ist guten (err sumpin like that)

[crbartist]

i wonder if they could give my boss a heart and conscience transplant

[inketolstoy]

Great article, horrible title.

[random_radar]

This is great news for everyone but the donor of the arms. Mr. Merk wants to ride a motorcycle again, but he ought to find out if the arm donor was a motorcycle rider first :).

[easeup-2009]

If he got a leg transplant would the article have been titled, "Man Gets a Leg Up on Life?"

[c_mykytiuk]

It makes my heart so happy to see that there are options for people.

[hypnotoad72]

This article was absolutely wonderful to read. Thank you much for posting this update!