Gleneagles Hospital successfully performs its 13th hand transplant, restoring hope and functionality of a 26-year-old engineer who overcame unimaginable odds after losing both hands in a train accident
Mumbai: Marking a fresh start to the year, Dr Nilesh Satbhai Head of the Department- Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplantation, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, and his team successfully performed the Hospital’s first-hand transplant of 2025, giving a new lease of life to 26-year-old Hritik Singh Parihar, an engineer who lost both hands in a devastating train accident. This was the 13th successful hand transplant at the hospital, making a total of 24 hands transplanted to date to improve the quality of life of patients. Hritik’s story is one of resilience and transformation, as he now embarks on a journey toward a brighter future with a new pair of hands.
The tragic train accident
In 2016, at just 18 years of age, Hritik Singh Parihar’s life took a tragic turn during a train journey from Indore to Mumbai. While switching trains at Chinchwad station, Pune, he was accidentally pushed and fell between two trains. The accident resulted in the amputation of both arms at the shoulder level, leaving him grappling with immense physical, emotional, and financial challenges as the sole breadwinner for his aging parents.
Hritik’s journey
Despite his limitations, Hritik displayed incredible determination, completing his education and securing a job as an engineer. As the sole breadwinner for his aging parents, he adapted to life by mastering the use of his feet for daily tasks, including operating a laptop and mobile phone. Using his feet to do daily chores, he continued to support his family. However, he longed for a normal life and the ability to embrace everyday tasks. This hope brought him to Gleneagles Hospital, where he consulted renowned hand transplant surgeon Dr Nilesh Satbhai.
A dream comes true
After months of preparation and waiting for a suitable donor, his dream of leading a normal life became a reality when the hospital performed the complex surgery to give him a new pair of hands. Hritik’s case was particularly challenging due to the near-shoulder amputation level, a rarity in hand transplant procedures. The donor hands, retrieved from a 69-year-old individual in Indore, were a perfect match for Hritik’s frame, and the surgery was meticulously carried out over 15 hours, beginning on December 30th, 2024, and concluding on New Year’s Eve.
Dr Nilesh Satbhai Head of the Department – Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplantation, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai said, “Hritik’s case was both unique and challenging due to the high level of amputation. However, with the support of a skilled multidisciplinary team, we were able to repair the blood vessels, nerves, and bones with precision, giving Hritik a chance to regain a functional, independent life. Hand transplants at this level are incredibly rare, with only a few cases performed worldwide, making this a significant milestone. He is expected to regain reasonable movement hand functions within 9-12 months.
“Gleneagles Hospitals continues to pioneer advanced surgical procedures, setting new benchmarks in patient care and recovery. Hritik’s story serves as an inspiration to all, proving that with determination and medical innovation; even the most daunting challenges can be overcome. We are honoured to mark the start of 2025 with such a significant achievement,” said Dr Bipin Chevale, CEO, Gleneagles Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai.
This historic transplant symbolizes a new beginning for Hritik, a young man whose strength and determination have been instrumental in his recovery. For Hritik, the surgery has been nothing short of life-changing. Sharing his emotions post-surgery, he said “Losing my hands was devastating; it felt like my life had come to a standstill. Every task, no matter how small, became a challenge, and I often wondered if I could ever lead a normal life again. But I didn’t want to give up. I had dreamt of living a normal, happy life for so many years. I feel like I’ve been given a second chance. I feel like I can dream again, work toward my goals, and support my family the way I always wanted to. Words cannot fully express my heartfelt gratitude to the doctors who made this possible with their skill and dedication and to the donor family for their extraordinary gift during such a difficult time. They have given me the chance to embrace life once more, and I will forever be thankful.”
