Hope Restored: KNH makes history with first-ever transhumeral TSR procedure
The procedure was successfully carried out on April 29 during a TSR Camp.
A groundbreaking surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has restored sensation to the stump of a 22-year-old man’s amputated arm, marking a world-first medical achievement and offering new hope for amputees across the globe.
The complex seven-hour operation, known as Transhumeral Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR), was performed on Moses Mwendwa, a software engineering student who lost his left arm in January.
The procedure was successfully carried out on April 29 during a TSR Camp, the first of its kind in Africa, hosted at KNH between April 28 and May 2, 2025.
"We have performed the World’s First Transhumeral Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR) surgery on Moses Mwendwa, 22, restoring sensation in his missing left hand! This groundbreaking 7-hour procedure reroutes nerves to create a ‘sensory map,’ enabling touch perception and better prosthetic control," KNH said in a statement.
The surgery aimed to reconnect nerves in a way that would allow the brain to interpret touch signals from a prosthetic arm, providing not only control but also sensation.
This sensory integration is expected to improve the function and experience of prosthetic limbs for future patients.
Mwendwa, who developed a condition called compartment syndrome following a fall in Nairobi's Ziwani area, had to undergo emergency surgery that led to the amputation of his dominant arm.
He had been left emotionally devastated after the procedure, but found hope again when he was selected for the TSR procedure at KNH.
"Feeling my hand again is magic," Mwendwa told reporters after the successful surgery.
The historic procedure was led by Prof. Ferdinand Nang’ole, a consultant plastic surgeon at KNH and the University of Nairobi, alongside Dr Benjamin Wabwire, head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at KNH, and Prof Alexander Gardetto, a plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist from Italy.
The team also included Dr Dorsi Jowi, a consultant plastic surgeon at KNH; Dr Christine Nyabuto, the chief resident in plastic surgery at the University of Nairobi; and Dr Rachel Machiya, a resident orthopaedic surgeon from the same institution.
Wabwire described the surgery as more than just a scientific breakthrough.
"By creating this neural hand map, we're changing what's possible for amputees," he said, emphasizing the life-changing impact of the new technique.
KNH CEO Dr Evanson Kamuri praised the medical team and described the procedure as a major step forward for the hospital and the entire continent.
"This reaffirms our commitment to strategic partnerships and demonstrates that KNH is home to world-class professionals and cutting-edge technology," Kamuri stated.
According to KNH, Mwendwa’s journey began after he fell on the stairs following a church service, triggering a serious muscle condition.
After receiving inconclusive assessments at two different medical centres, he was taken to KNH, where doctors quickly acted to manage his condition.
Despite their efforts, the damage to his arm was too severe, and he underwent amputation on January 24.
KNH noted that the emotional impact on Mwendwa and his family was intense, describing the period after the amputation as one of grief and difficult adjustment.
The successful TSR surgery has now opened a new chapter for the young man, offering renewed confidence and a glimpse into a future filled with possibility.
The success of the procedure is also a major milestone for medical innovation in Africa, showing what can be achieved with skilled professionals, strong collaboration, and modern medical infrastructure.