by Anita Osuri
Joe DiMeo, the first recipient of a face and hand transplant stands alongside his doctor after the procedure. Reprinted from abc7NY at https://abc7ny.com/joe-dimeo-face-transplant-double-hand-nyu/10273351/
Everyday it seems that a new medical breakthrough or technology is perfected. Especially in a technological world, it is fascinating to see that science is constantly evolving and being improved upon. Just a few weeks ago, the first successful face and double hand transplant was completed in New Jersey [1][2]. Seeing the tremendous difference that the transplants made on the man’s appearance made me consider what truly makes us human.
Previously, I had never considered the importance of a person’s face on their quality of life. Everything from interacting with others to forming relationships to feeling confident and comfortable is governed by this body part. In a sense, these victims of hunting accidents, car crashes, gunshot wounds etc. receive a new chance at life.
So how does a face transplant work? First, doctors must evaluate certain criteria, which includes an age limit (18-60), confirmation of visible facial disfigurement, ability to take immunosuppressant drugs, and many others [3]. The second step is facial screening, where doctors ensure that the patient can support regeneration of nerves, which is essential for appropriate motor function [3]. The third step is determining a donor, which can take years. This is based on careful consideration of skin color, skin tone, gender, ethnicity, race and face size [3]. The actual surgery can take a lengthy amount of time and requires a team of surgeons.
Surgeons must connect the patient and the donor’s bones with screws [3]. They meticulously connect the arteries and nerves, which can take more than 16 hours. However, after the surgery, the most difficult work for the patient begins.
Patients must endure extensive rehabilitation for almost half a year to relearn how to speak, smile, eat, drink, and show emotions [3].
However, face transplants do not come without risks. There is possible risk of rejection, which can manifest as spotty patches or rashes on the skin [4]. Fortunately, unlike an organ transplant, rejection from face transplants is visible early on, and therefore can be detected before any major complications arise.
Despite the lengthy amount of effort from the doctors, patients, and families that must go into even one face transplant, the impact on the patient is immeasurable [5]. It reconsiders what is possible for victims of traumatic face injuries, and begs the question: what will be future procedures that may help other victims of disfiguring traumatic events regain a sense of normalcy?
Sources:
News, E. (2021, February 3). NJ man has first successful face and double hand transplants at NYU Langone Health. ABC7 New York. https://abc7ny.com/joe-dimeo-face-transplant-double-hand-nyu/10273351/.
Simko-Bednarski, E. (2021, February 3). World's first face and hands transplant gives New Jersey man a second chance at life. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/us/face-and-double-hand-transplant/index.html.
Face Transplant. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/face-transplant.
Therapeutics, 1 I. for C. Science of Composite Tissue Allotransplantation :Transplantation. LWW. https://journals.lww.com/transplantjournal/Fulltext/2008/09150/Science_of_Composite_Tissue_Allotransplantation.1.aspx.
CBS News. (2020, August 3). Amazing face transplants (GRAPHIC IMAGES). CBSNews. https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/amazing-face-transplants-graphic-images/.