A new face transplant in France

A young man of 28 years has received a face transplant, the 3rd in France and the 5th in the world. He had been disfigured 5 years ago by a gunshot. The operation lasted about fifteen hours, the Registry is awake and doing well.

The patient, aged 28, was transplanted to a large part of the face of the donor, including skin, muscles, part of the backbone and nerves. The young man had been disfigured by an accidental shot, 5 years ago. He had since undergone several surgeries, but could not eat or breathe normally.

The transplant was conducted by Professor Laurent Lantieri and his entire team, Hospital Henri Mondor, Créteil. The operation lasted about fifteen hours to finish Friday morning. It mobilized the presence of a dozen people.

The patient is awake and going well, but the next few weeks will be decisive: processing heavy anti-rejection will be introduced and many months of rehabilitation will be necessary before the young man could even speak or eat normally. Some medications must be taken for life.

Such operations have been conducted in France: this is the 3rd type of operation and the second for Professor Laurent Lantieri and his team. In 2005, the 1st World face transplant was high profile: Isabelle Dinoire, who had made disfigured by a dog, had taken place at Amiens.

Eight patients are awaiting such a transplant in France: finding donors for simple bodies is not already obvious, but donate the face of a loved one is even more difficult and taboo.