Louisville, Kentucky - November 24, 2008 - Kleinert Kutz and University of Louisville hand surgeons performed the fifth U.S. hand transplant on Massena, New York resident, Jan “Erik” Hondusky, at Louisville’s Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center on Monday, November 24. The innovative procedure began around noon and was completed shortly after 9 p.m. in a record nine hours.

Hondusky, a 43-year-old production worker, injured his dominant right hand in a furnace accident on April 12, 2006 when his hand was crushed and burned thus requiring amputation. He has been using a Myoelectric prosthesis to perform daily living activities. For more info, visit www.handtransplant.com