Face Transplantation: Psychological Outcomes at Three-Year Follow-Up

HEAVEN in the Making: Between the Rock (the Academe) and a Hard Case (a Head Transplant)

“…This runs counter to what is seen in transplant recipients, who typically adjust their identities to incorporate the donated organ or tissue into their own sense of selfhood ("gifts of life") (e.g., Coffman and Siemionow 2013). Face transplantees too have yet to report identity confusion or disruptions in self-identity, rather improved self-esteem, social integration, and overall mental health following correction of severe disfigurement (e.g., Coffman and Siemionow 2013). Certainly, the percentage of the body .…”

“…Transplant recipients are therefore carefully selected through clinical and psychiatric screening (e.g. Coffman and Siemionow 2013). Ongoing post-transplant support is also required that includes physical and psychological rehabilitation.…”

The Psychology of Facial Disfigurement: Implications for Whole Face Transplantation

“…Teams who have carried out WFT have reported psychological outcomes for small numbers of patients [3][4][5], and teams planning to offer WFT in future have published papers outlining their planned approach to pre-and posttransplant psychological assessment and support [6]. In the former, it is interesting to note that data from a small number of patients who have now undergone the procedure is prompting a change in the 'mood music' about the potential psychological benefits of WFT.…”

“…The challenge of identifying those who are sufficiently distressed by their disfigurement and/or lack of function to benefit from WFT, yet resilient to cope with the psychological challenges of WFT, and its aftermath was discussed in the second report of the Working Party [2] and has since been reiterated by those planning or undertaking WFT [3,11]. Interestingly, members of one team at the forefront of WFT now recommend that the primary motivation for undertaking the procedure should be to improve function, rather than aesthetics [3].…”

“…Interestingly, members of one team at the forefront of WFT now recommend that the primary motivation for undertaking the procedure should be to improve function, rather than aesthetics [3]. In addition, there is a lack of consensus amongst prospective and current WFT teams about the psychological factors, processes and associated measures that should comprise the focus for pre-and postprocedural assessment.…”