The Kenyatta National Hospital has become the first public facility in the world to successfully perform a Transhumeral Targeted Sensory Reinnervation (TSR) surgery.
KNH management announced the new milestone on a post on their social media pages on May 6, 2025.
According to the hospital, the surgery was conducted on a 22-year-old patient who lost his arm after a fall on the stairs in January.
However, a 7-hour procedure restored sensation in his missing left hand.
“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.
“Moses lost his arm due to compartment syndrome after a fall on the stairs in January but regained hope at KNH’s pioneering TSR Camp — Africa’s first,” it added.
The historic surgery was conducted by several medics led by Prof. Nang’ole, Dr. Wabwire and Prof. Gardetto.
“The team proved Kenya’s surgical excellence,” the hospital said.
The patient who underwent the procedure expressed his joy with the restoration of sensation.
“Feeling my hand again is magic,” Mwendwa happily said.
