Full Face Transplant

Abstract

The early success described in this case report demonstrates the technical and clinical feasibility of transplanting all the tissues of the with all its aesthetic and functional units intact.

Face Transplantation: On the Verge of Becoming Clinical Routine?

“…Since the first full facial allograft was successfully transplanted in 2010 [16], the group of potential candidates has expanded. To date, face transplantation has been performed on patients with severe burns ( n = 10, including chemical and electrical burns), gunshot injuries ( n = 8), animal attacks ( m = 3), neurofibromatosis type I ( n = 3), severe radiotherapy side effects, and crush trauma ( n = 1) (Table 2).…”

“…To date, face transplantation has been performed on patients with severe burns ( n = 10, including chemical and electrical burns), gunshot injuries ( n = 8), animal attacks ( m = 3), neurofibromatosis type I ( n = 3), severe radiotherapy side effects, and crush trauma ( n = 1) (Table 2). Before going into the relevant transplant programs, all recipients had undergone various surgeries for reconstruction, each of them with poor functional and aesthetic outcome [9, 12, 16–22, 44]. Donors were selected based on race, skin color, sex, blood type, age, HLA matching, and immunological status [12, 16–19, 22].…”

“…As far as reported only ILG-1 (Institut Georges Lopez Organ Preservation Solution) and UWC (University of Wisconsin Solution) were used in this context [9, 16, 19]. …”

“…Early cases and cadaver studies have demonstrated that transplant perfusion may generally be achieved with few vascular anastomoses [9, 19, 20, 24]. Moreover it has been shown that revascularization of the whole face and maxilla can be achieved by connection of one single facial artery [16, 25]. In order to reduce the risk of postoperative thrombosis and potential transplant loss, most anastomoses were performed in large diameter vessels.…”

“…As far as reported 12 patients regained their motor functions with varying success rates regarding early results. First contractions of single muscles have been observed as early as 2-3 months after surgery [12] while complex movements appeared within the first year [12, 16, 17, 19, 23, 26, 27]. The recipient of the first near total FT was given back the ability to smell, drink from a cup, and eat solid food within a very short period of time following surgery.…”