Face Transplantation

Pomahac, Bohdan; Nowinski, Daniel; Diaz-Siso, J. Rodrigo; Bueno, Ericka M.; Talbot, Simon G.; Sinha, Indranil; Westvik, Tormod S.; Vyas, Raj M.; Singhal, Dhruv

doi:10.1067/j.cpsurg.2011.01.003

Cited by 52 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 194 publications

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“…Tracheostomy involves complications such as dysphagia and fistula formation, which are associated with high risk of mortality (9,11,12). FT restores masticatory function, the oral cavity and the upper airway in a single stage procedure (13). Postoperatively, decannulation and oral food intake is feasible, leading to significant increases in quality of life and prevention of life-threatening complications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Outcomes of Face Transplantation

Fischer

Kueckelhaus

Pauzenberger

et al. 2015

American Journal of Transplantation

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In this study we provide a compilation of functional impairments before and improvements after face transplantation (FT) of five FT recipients of our institution and all FTs reported in current literature. Functional outcome included the ability to smell, breath, eat, speak, grimace and facial sensation. Before FT, all our patients revealed compromised ability to breath, eat, speak, grimace and experience facial sensation. The ability to smell was compromised in two of our five patients. Two patients were dependent on tracheostomy and one on gastrostomy tubes. After FT, all abilities were significantly improved and all patients were independent from artificial air airways and feeding tubes. Including data given in current literature about the other 24 FT recipients in the world, the abilities to smell, eat and feel were enhanced in 100% of cases, while the abilities of breathing, speaking and facial expressions were ameliorated in 93%, 71% and 76% of cases, respectively. All patients that required gastrostomy and 91% of patients depending on tracheostomy were decannulated after FT. Unfortunately, outcomes remain unreported in all other cases and therefore we are unable to comment on improvements.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Outcomes of Face Transplantation

Fischer

Kueckelhaus

Pauzenberger

et al. 2015

American Journal of Transplantation

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“…Notably, functional deficits-particularly impaired verbal and emotional communication-often affect mental well-being more negatively than the aesthetic impairments [68]. In cases of extensive soft-tissue or composite soft-tissue and skeletal defects, conventional reconstruction remains largely unable to restore both facial and aesthetic function, and patients are often left with life-long handicaps [68]. Conventional reparative surgery options include multiple rungs of the reconstructive ladder, such as skin grafts, local flaps, distant pedicled flaps, and free flaps, although all have limitations that can result in incomplete functional restoration and aesthetic outcomes.…”

Section: Limitations Of Conventional Reconstruction For Severe Facialmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reconstruction of the nose and adjacent facial subunits can also yield disappointing aesthetic results [71]. In severe cases, anatomical repair might be unachievable, and free flaps are used to obliterate the resulting dead space and to seal nasal and sinus cavities and intracranial space [68].…”

Section: Limitations Of Conventional Reconstruction For Severe Facialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facial Disfigurement and Identity: A Review of the Literature and Implications for Facial Transplantation

2018

AMA Journal of Ethics

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Facial disfigurement can significantly affect personal identity and access to social roles. Although conventional reconstruction can have positive effects with respect to identity, these procedures are often inadequate for more severe facial defects. In these cases, facial transplantation (FT) offers patients a viable reconstructive option. However, FT's effect on personal identity has been less well examined, and ethical questions remain regarding the psychosocial ramifications of the procedure. This article reviews the literature on the different roles of the face as well as psychological and social effects of facial disfigurement. The effects of facial reconstruction on personal identity are also reviewed with an emphasis on orthognathic, cleft, and head and neck surgery. Finally, FT is considered in this context, and future directions for research are explored.

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“…1 Since 2005, a total of 18 patients have received transplants with promising results. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Most facial transplantations have been designed to restore partial-face defects; fullface transplantations include the forehead, eyelids, nose, lips, chin, and cheeks, 8,9 with or without underlying bone.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%