Friday, April 23, 2010
It's Happened: The First Full Face Transplant [Medicine]
The operation took 22 hours and 30 doctors, but the world's first full facial transplant has been deemed 'a success'.
In a clandestine operation that took place almost a month ago in Barcelona, a man who'd lost his much of his face in a shooting accident received an entire face—skin and muscles, and as the BBC clarified, even "cheekbones, nose, lips and teeth"—from a donor.
Apparently the patient, who'd formerly been unable to swallow or breathe, has since seen himself in a mirror and was 'calm and satisfied.' It's unclear just how much function he's regained, and just like for any organ transplant, he'll be on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life.
But...I mean...wow.
[Gizmodo via BBC]
Labels:
Face,
Medicine,
science,
Surgery,
Transplant
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