Hands Down: The Incredible Story of a Swiss Man’s Life-Changing Transplant

At just 12 years old, Luka Kriszanac was dealt a tough hand—literally. A severe sepsis infection caused him to lose both legs and hands, leaving him to navigate life without the dexterity we often take for granted. Fast forward to today, and Luka is getting a second chance thanks to the remarkable folks at Penn Medicine, who successfully performed a double hand transplant. It turns out that dreaming of hands after 17 years can really pay off!

The surgery, a complex and lengthy operation called vascularized composite allotransplantation, involved a slew of medical experts, including L. Scott Levin and Benjamin Chang, all working tirelessly to make sure Luka’s new hands would be a fit—making sure the genetic match was perfect and everything down to skin tone was spot on. After the 10-hour marathon surgery, Luka woke up with a world of possibilities at his fingertips—quite literally. Who knew typing on a smartphone or holding a cup could feel so life-affirming? Talk about gratitude!

Luka’s story is a powerful reminder of both the incredible advancements in medical science and the profound impact of organ donation. As he embarks on a long journey of rehabilitation at his home in Zurich, he remains in close contact with the Penn team for ongoing support. It’s heartwarming to think about the relationship formed through this experience and how Luka is grateful to the donor family for changing not just his life, but also his family’s. Makes you wonder—what would you do if you got a second chance like him?

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