World's first face transplant to take place at the Cleveland Ohio Clinic, USA

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Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 19 Sep 2005 - 14:00 PDT

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The world's first face transplant is going to take place at the Clevelant Ohio Clinic. Twelve severely disfigured people have been selected for this pioneering procedure. Maria Siemionow, lead surgeon, will choose who will be the first out of those 12.

Maria Siemionow has been researching into the feasibility of face transplants for several years. The twelve patients to be the first ever to undergo a face transplant consist of five men and seven women. They will each receive a new face from a cadaver (dead body).

US regulators approved the procedure - British and French authorities did not.

The patients to undergo this new medical procedure have been seriously disfigured by burns, serious accidents or personal tragedies. Current technologies can help people with serious disfigurements. However, patients still have unpleasant scars and tight 'unelastic' skin.

The UK and French authorities' main reason for not approving the procedure was a question of 'life and death' - it is not a life-saving operation. In many cases, the patient's health is fine (physical health). This procedure does not save a patient's life. There is also a risk of rejection, which would leave the patient with serious problems.

Although in most cases the patient's physical health is not affected by a facial disfigurement, some people with serious disfigurements have written to Medical News Today explaining that the effects on their mental health is significant. Their general view is that mental health problems seriously affect their quality of life, and often lead to physical health problems.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Editor - Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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