The Importance of the Condition of the Donor Teeth and Jaws During Allogeneic Face Transplantation

Abstract

The authors aimed to present dental treatment of the cadaveric tooth in a transplanted maxilla in a patient with facial transplantation with bony framework and soft tissue envelope. The treatment procedure was scheduled after physical examination, and the final plan was designed according to the patient's special medical condition. The authors reported the first successful endodontic treatment of an allogeneic cadaveric donor tooth in a patient with facial transplantation. Dental disease represents a potential risk for infection in patients with allogeneic transplantation, which could affect the success of tissue transplantation and might lead to life-threatening conditions. The (re)treatment of the diseased teeth is possible even after the transplantation. The health of the teeth and jaws of the donor should be evaluated before transplantation, especially when maxilla or mandible transplantation is planned.

The Ever-Evolving State of the Art: A Look Back at the AONA Facial Reconstruction and Transplantation Meetings

“…14 Furthermore, the highest number of face transplants per calendar year (seven) was performed in 2012. [15][16][17][18] These events certainly generated interest in the facial reconstruction community for 2013, and contributed to the positive cycle of growth that led to an even higher attendance in 2015. Of note, the number of international attendees has also grown substantially since 2011, with the fifth and most recent iteration of the course hosting more global visitors (97) than any other (►Fig.…”

“…Long-term outcomes of the first face transplant recipient were published that year,12 as were a landmark case series of full-face transplant recipients13 and a detailed report on full-face transplant surgical technique 14. Furthermore, the highest number of face transplants per calendar year (seven) was performed in 2012 15161718. These events certainly generated interest in the facial reconstruction community for 2013, and contributed to the positive cycle of growth that led to an even higher attendance in 2015.…”

The Helsinki approach to face transplantation

“…1 At least 39 facial transplantations (including Finland's first two cases) have so far been performed in several centres worldwide. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Successful facial VCA demands an effective and coherent multidisciplinary program to be in place. [22][23][24] This program should address at the outset the necessary ethical, legal and financial obligations as well as include a well-prepared research protocol, experts from multiple specialties and ultimately, careful patient selection.…”

The Helsinki Face Transplantation: Surgical aspects and 1-year outcome

“…However, only two-thirds of all face transplants have been published in the peer-reviewed literature with details on surgical technique and clinical outcomes. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Furthermore, transparent description of all complications and revision surgery has been somewhat lacking in this still new but largely experimental field of reconstructive surgery. 2 Thus far, even though the experience of centres worldwide performing facial transplantation has proved its surgical feasibility with good functional outcomes, only now are we beginning to see the long-term outcomes.…”