Doctors have done face transplant for this man and the result is incredible
After extensive research, careful observation, and multiple trials conducted across different countries, medical experts have reached the conclusion that face transplants, once considered experimental and highly risky, have now become a viable and realistic option for individuals suffering from severe facial deformities or injuries. This conclusion is based on a series of successful procedures, each of which provided significant insight into the surgical techniques, post-operative care, and long-term outcomes associated with facial transplantation.
The journey toward this milestone began in November 2005, when the first-ever partial face transplant was performed on Isabelle Dinoire in France. This groundbreaking surgery not only demonstrated the technical feasibility of transplanting facial tissue but also set the stage for subsequent procedures carried out both by the pioneering French surgical team and by medical specialists in other parts of the world, including China. While a full-face transplant—encompassing the entire facial structure—has not yet been attempted globally, surgeons based in the United Kingdom, operating out of London’s Royal Free Hospital, have recently received approval to perform such a complex procedure. This ambitious operation may involve removing and replacing critical facial structures such as the ears, nose, and even portions of the scalp from a donor, highlighting the incredible intricacy and daring required in modern facial reconstructive surgery.
In a detailed report published in The Lancet, researchers shared comprehensive findings from the second and third facial transplants performed in the years following the pioneering operation in France. The first of these subsequent cases involved a man in his 30s who had suffered devastating injuries after being attacked by a bear in October 2004, while the second case concerned a patient who had undergone severe facial disfigurement due to the presence of a large tumor. In both instances, post-operative evaluations demonstrated successful outcomes, with any complications—particularly immune rejection of the transplanted tissue—being effectively managed by the medical teams.
In the bear-attack case, conventional reconstructive techniques had already been attempted but proved unsuccessful. Specifically, skin grafts harvested from the patient’s own arm did not take, prompting the surgical team to pursue a facial transplant as the only feasible option after a large portion of the man’s face, including his nose, had been irreparably damaged. The donor in this case was a 25-year-old man who had tragically died in a car accident. Following careful discussions and consent from the donor’s family, the transplant procedure was scheduled and performed in April 2006. Leading the operation was Professor Shuzhong Guo from Xijing Hospital and the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an, located in Shaanxi Province, China.
The surgery itself, which lasted approximately 18 hours, involved the meticulous reconnection of arteries, veins, and nerves, as well as the reconstruction of critical facial structures including the nose, upper lip, and sinuses. To prevent rejection of the transplanted tissue, the patient was placed on a regimented immunosuppressive protocol that included four different medications, carefully balanced to minimize the risk of complications while promoting tissue acceptance and healing. Despite the inherent risks associated with such a complex procedure, the research team emphasized that short-term outcomes were encouraging, and they suggested that facial transplantation holds significant promise as a long-term rehabilitative solution for patients with severe facial trauma or congenital deformities.
The second notable case involved a 29-year-old man of French-Caribbean descent, whose facial appearance had been severely compromised by a hereditary tumor known as neurofibroma. In this instance, the donor was a deceased individual who, at the time of surgery, still had a functioning heart. The operation, conducted at Henri Mondor University Hospital in Créteil, France, lasted 15 hours and was led by Professor Laurent Lantieri. Remarkably, within 13 months of undergoing surgery, the patient had achieved full recovery and was able to return to work on a full-time basis, demonstrating both the functional and psychological benefits of the procedure. Professor Lantieri and his team highlighted in their published report that this case confirmed the surgical feasibility of facial transplantation and validated its effectiveness for correcting specific types of facial disfigurement, particularly those arising from genetic disorders.
Taken together, these pioneering cases illustrate not only the technical advancements that have been made in the field of facial reconstruction but also the profound impact such procedures can have on the lives of individuals living with severe facial injuries or deformities. While challenges remain, including the ongoing management of immune response and the ethical considerations surrounding donor tissue, the growing body of successful cases underscores that facial transplantation is moving from the realm of experimental surgery toward becoming a practical, life-changing medical intervention.