HTA Details
Composite Tissue Transplant of Hand or Arm
- Publication date
-
2016-June-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Transplantation
- Recommendation
-
Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendation:
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends against publicly funding composite tissue transplantation for hand or arm.
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has accepted this recommendation.
-
To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
A severe injury or infection to a hand or arm can result in the need for amputation. In Canada, an estimated 227,000 people have had either an arm or a leg amputated.
Patients who have experienced hand or arm amputation may be able to undergo a transplant procedure known as composite tissue transplantation. This complex procedure involves connecting a deceased donor’s hand or arm to a person’s bone, muscles, nerves, skin and other tissue.
Hand and arm transplants have been performed in several countries. Ontario Health looked at the safety and effectiveness of hand and arm transplants, and also looked at how much these transplants cost and whether they are cost-effective.
Supporting Documents
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
