Man’s double arm transplant

MEXICO CITY: A Mexican man whose arms were severely burned by electricity has become the first patient in Latin America to receive a double arm transplant.

Gabriel Granados, a 52-yearold father of two whose arms were amputated just below the elbow, received the arms of a 34-year-old shooting victim, Dr Martin Iglesias, head of the surgical team that performed the operation, said yesterday.

Granados said the transplant was “terrific” and he had begun to feel his new hands.

“This is wonderful that after being without hands for some time, all of a sudden I see new hands,” said Granados, who is an agent in the financial unit of Mexico City’s prosecutors’ office.

The surgery was in early May, but Granados was discharged from the hospital yesterday. Doctors said he had recovered well.

His arms were amputated after they were badly burned in January last year, when he received an electrical shock while giving instructions to a group of construction workers building a fence.

Before the surgery, doctors say they practised the procedure on corpses.

“This is a very special day for Mexico from a scientific point of view,” said Dr Fernando Gabilondo, director of Mexico City’s National Institute of Medical Science and Nutrition Salvador Zubiran, where the surgery was performed.

Mexican doctors say there are 23 patients waiting for arm transplants. – Sapa-AP LONDON: Prince William will take command of perilous RAF search-and-rescue missions after passing a training course with flying colours.

The Duke of Cambridge qualified as an operational captain days before his 30th birthday, impressing officers with his aptitude at the controls of Sea King helicopters.

Until now William – Flight Lieutenant Wales in the RAF – was only allowed to co-pilot the aircraft.

But after two days of arduous ground and air-based tests, he can now take charge of the helicopter during emergency call-outs.

During one of the mock rescues he had to complete, he was forced to divert to a real-life mission when a hiker fell ill on a Welsh peak. His new role means he will have overall responsibility for the four crew members and any casualties during rescues.

An RAF source said: “William’s got a good set of hands, he’s well liked and a confident, professional aviator.

“This award is fully deserved. He was excellent in his tests.” – Daily Mail