Facial Transplantation

Jack E Russo; Eric M Genden

doi:10.1016/j.fsc.2016.03.013

Facial Transplantation

Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2016 Aug;24(3):367-77. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2016.03.013.

Authors

Jack E Russo¹, Eric M Genden²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA. Electronic address: Eric.genden@mountsinai.org.

PMID: 27400850
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsc.2016.03.013

Abstract

Reconstruction of severe facial deformities poses a unique surgical challenge: restoring the aesthetic form and function of the face. Facial transplantation has emerged over the last decade as an option for reconstruction of these defects in carefully selected patients. As the world experience with facial transplantation grows, debate remains regarding whether such a highly technical, resource-intensive procedure is warranted, all to improve quality of life but not necessarily prolong it. This article reviews the current state of facial transplantation with focus on the current controversies and challenges, with particular attention to issues of technique, immunology, and ethics.

Keywords: Composite tissue allotransplantation; Ethics; Facial transplantation; Immunosuppression; Microvascular surgery.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Drug Therapy, Combination
Facial Transplantation / ethics
Facial Transplantation / methods*
Facial Transplantation / psychology
Graft Rejection / immunology
Graft Rejection / prevention & control
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
Patient Selection
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Immunosuppressive Agents