Full-face transplant

Eric W. Shamlin • 27th Jul 2010 • Random Thoughts, Science & Technology

From BBC:

Oscar was considered for a full face transplant after nine previous operations failed.

A team of 30 experts carried out the 24-hour long operation on 20 March at the hospital in Barcelona.

Led by Dr JP Barret, the team transplanted muscles, nose, lips, maxilla, palate, all teeth, cheekbones, and the mandible by means of plastic surgery and micro-neurovascular reconstructive surgery techniques.

It was the first full face transplant performed worldwide, as the 10 operations performed previously had been only partial.

The first successful face transplant was performed in France in 2005 on Isabelle Dinoire, a 38-year-old woman who had been mauled by her dog.

From PressTV Israel:

According to the surgical team, the surgery was satisfactory as Oscar is able to drink liquids and eat soft foods, and has been able to speak for the past two months. He has also regained feeling in most of his face and is partly recovering movement of his muscles.