Double hand transplant patient has bandages removed

Chiropractor Dr Richard Edwards struggled to carry out simple tasks with his hands after they were badly burned in an accident five years ago.

His best hope of being able to use his hands fully again was to undergo a rare operation - a double hand transplant.

Surgeons at The Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center in Louisville, Kentucky - the site of the world's first successful hand transplant in 1999 - carried out the operation.

Now it is time to take the bandages off and for Dr Edwards to see his new hands.

Inside the Human Body: Hostile World presented by Michael Mosley can be seen on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday 26 May 2011. Catch up on all episodes via BBC iPlayer