OBJECTIVETo study the psychology and the treatment during the process of hand allograft.

METHODSThe patients were interviewed to evaluate their states of mind and their abilities to manage stress during the selection of patients. The psychology of the two patients were trained before the operation and managed accordingly afterwards.

RESULTSOne of 12 candidates was found to be unsuitable for the transplantation because of psychiatric problems. One week postoperatively, the two patients were anxious, lacked patience and were afraid of seeing the long-awaited grafted hand. After 1 week, the patients began to accept the new hand, with full acceptance of the hand 1 month later. With the recovery of hand sensation 4 to 5 months after the operation, the patients regarded the hand as their own.

CONCLUSIONPsychological problems exist during preoperative selection of patients and postoperative rehabilitation, requiring psychologists in the hand transplantation team.