Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the world’s first successful Transhumeral Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR) surgery. Performed on April 29, the procedure restored sensation to the stump of a 22-year-old software engineering student, Moses Mwendwa, who lost his left arm in January due to compartment syndrome following a fall.
Pioneering TSR Surgical Innovation impact on amputees
Led by Professor Ferdinand Nang’ole, Dr. Benjamin Wabwire, and visiting Italian specialist Professor Alexander Gardetto, the multidisciplinary team conducted the seven-hour operation during Africa’s inaugural TSR surgical camp. The TSR technique reroutes nerves from the amputated limb to the remaining skin, enabling the brain to perceive touch, temperature, and pain as if the missing limb were still present. This breakthrough enhances prosthetic control and alleviates phantom limb pain, a common challenge for amputees.
Dr. Wabwire hailed the TSR surgery as a groundbreaking advancement that not only restores physical capabilities but also enhances the quality of life for amputees. He emphasized that by developing a neural hand map, the procedure is redefining possibilities in prosthetic integration and sensory restoration.
Mwendwa expressed awe at the results: “When I touched the skin near my stump and felt it in my fingers, I was stunned.” It felt like a part of me had returned.” His surgery marks a leap forward in reconstructive surgery, blending science with profound human impact.
KNH’s Commitment to Medical Excellence
KNH CEO Dr. Evanson Kamuri hailed the accomplishment, emphasizing its significance for the hospital’s reputation in specialized medical care and research. The TSR surgical camp transformed the lives of seven patients and set the stage for similar initiatives across Africa.
This achievement adds to KNH’s legacy of pioneering medical procedures, including a laparoscopic kidney resection in 2024, fetal blood transfusion in 2023, open-heart surgery on an infant in 2022, and the separation of conjoined twins in 2016. As KNH continues advancing surgical care, this latest breakthrough stands as a testament to innovation, collaboration, and medical excellence.
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