Surgeons involved in the world’s first complete face transplant have hailed the pioneering operation a complete success, saying that the patient is recovering well and has a bright future ahead of him.
As reported in Britain’s The Times, an unnamed man was operated on at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona on March 20. A team of 30 surgeons and transplant specialists replaced all parts of his severely disfigured face — that’s everything apart from his eyeballs and tongue. “It is a full face transplant, restoring all the bones and no grafts,” confirmed Joan Pere Barret, who led the medical team, adding that the young man “has the face of a complete new human being.”
The farmer, who is in his thirties, was left unable to swallow, speak or breathe without assistance after shooting himself in the face, five years ago. Hearing about the successful case of Isabelle Dinoire, who received the first partial face transplant in 2005, he contacted surgeons to see if he too, could get a similar life-changing operation.
Now, thanks to the 24-hour long procedure, doctors have every hope that the patient will be able to live a “practically normal life” with a new face and new hopes for the future. Still recovering in hospital, one month after the procedure he is already back on his feet and is expected to start talking, eating, smiling and even laughing in the next few weeks.
He’s even checked out his new face (which does not resemble the donors) in the mirror and given it the thumbs up. “He asked to see his face on day seven after the surgery and he was very pleased and satisfied,” said Dr Barret, adding that his team couldn’t be happier with the results of the groundbreaking operation. “From our point of view, he looks fantastic. He is the best facial transplant ever.”
Photo via 62 Mile Club.