Introduction to Facial Transplantation

What is/are Facial Transplantation?

Facial Transplantation - Discuss indications and contraindications for facial transplantation, and donor and recipient selection criteria and considerations. ^[1] Background: Facial transplantation (FT) is recognized as the ultimate reconstruction for severely disfigured patients. ^[2] Facial transplantation represents a unique surgical solution for challenging facial injury patterns in which conservative reconstructive techniques fail to provide a satisfactory functional and aesthetic result. ^[3] Facial transplantations using allografts are common, but mandibular allotransplantation has not been performed in humans, due to the unstable immune reaction of the complex tissue. ^[4] Alloplastic facial transplantation has become a new rung on the proverbial reconstructive ladder for severe facial wounds in the past couple of decades. ^[5] Background: Facial transplantation is a complex surgical procedure that requires education of medical professionals, patients, and the general public. ^[6] In doing so, I contend that the report’s themes contain the widespread ambivalence about facial transplantation by confirming prevailing assumptions about medical science and how it creates normal people who live good lives. ^[7] However, the history of facial transplantation has largely been unexplored. ^[8] The early Waltzing method of tissue transfer, perfected by Sir Gillies, was superseded by free flaps and facial transplantation as methods for facial reconstruction. ^[9] Summary Over the past 15 years, landmark achievements have established facial transplantation (FT) as a feasible reconstructive option for otherwise irreparable craniofacial defects. ^[10] The type of repair is determined based on the location and extent of injury and can range from primary closure to microsurgical replantation, skin grafts, flaps, or even facial transplantation. ^[11] PATIENTS AND METHODS Two patients with ballistic composite facial injury underwent tooth-bearing maxillomandibular facial transplantation (FT) after informed consent and institutional review board approval. ^[12] A ‘yuk’ reaction, similarly described in facial transplantation, may be present in colleagues arguing against penile transplantation. ^[13] After 4 years of dynamic observation and individual rehabilitation programs, the main goal of the facial transplantation, that is, social re-adaptation of the patient, was achieved. ^[14] Rodriguez, MD, DDS Computerized Approach to Facial Transplantation: Evolution and Application in 3 Consecutive Face Transplants. ^[15] Facial transplantation has gained increasing acceptance as a treatment option to improve quality of life (QoL) for persons suffering from severe facial disfigurement. ^[16] The future of nasal reconstruction will include facial transplantation and likely bioengineered tissues. ^[17] Superficial head and neck vessels are increasingly used in surgical procedures and are especially important in facial transplantation surgeries. ^[18] Purpose Facial transplantation involves partial or total replacement of neuromuscular and skeletal structures of the face, head, and neck using donor tissues and is among the most extensive facial reconstructive procedures. ^[19] Facial transplantation is emerging as a therapeutic option for self-inflicted gunshot wounds. ^[20] Background: The technical feasibility and clinical applicability of facial transplantation (FT) have been demonstrated, yet animal models with different technical nuances and allograft compositions continue to be developed. ^[21] BACKGROUND Facial transplantation introduced a paradigm shift in the reconstruction of extensive facial defects. ^[22] OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Using a novel biomechanical-based motor speech assessment alongside commonly used clinically-based motor speech assessments, the goal of this study was to describe longitudinal recovery in speech movements and functional speech in a cohort of 5 patients following facial transplantation. ^[23] Since 2005, facial transplantation has emerged as a viable reconstructive option for the most severe defects not amenable to conventional reconstructive techniques, with promising aesthetic and functional outcomes to date. ^[24] Five-Year Follow-up of Facial Transplantation Facial allograft may restore form and function to patients with severe facial disfigurement for whom other satisfactory therapeutic options are lacking. ^[25] Facial transplantation is a complex technique that involves a number of risks. ^[26] Only 29 facial transplantations (Khalifian et al. ^[27] Importance Acute rejection is one of the most frequent complications in facial transplantation, with potentially severe consequences for the recipient if overlooked. ^[28] Recovery of muscle function following facial transplantation is critical to achieving optimal facial function and restoring facial expression. ^[29] Key words: High density fat; SVF-GEL; Facial transplantation. ^[30]

Following Facial Transplantation

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Using a novel biomechanical-based motor speech assessment alongside commonly used clinically-based motor speech assessments, the goal of this study was to describe longitudinal recovery in speech movements and functional speech in a cohort of 5 patients following facial transplantation. ^[1] Recovery of muscle function following facial transplantation is critical to achieving optimal facial function and restoring facial expression. ^[2]