First Full Face Transplant Could Happen In England

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Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 19 Jun 2006 - 14:00 PDT

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If the Royal Free Hospital Ethical Committee agrees, the first full face transplant could take place soon in England. Professor Peter Butler has been researching face transplants for nearly a decade and a half. On getting the green light, the surgical team will look for a suitable candidate - this could take as long as twelve months. The committee decides on Wednesday.

As a result of his extensive research, Prof. Butler has become a leading expert in tissue rejection as well as the psychological aspects of face transplants.

Even if they do get permission, the team then has to find the right candidate and get permission for him/her to have the operation.

The medical team will be accompanied by Simon Weston, who suffered dreadful burns during the Falklands War, when they meet the ethical committee. Weston will explain why he thinks face transplants should be allowed. Although Weston is in favour of face transplants today, he used to be against the idea.

If the team get permission, find a suitable candidate, and also get permission for him/her to undergo the operation - the first full face transplant could take place in England.

In France, November, 2005, Isabelle Dinoire received a partial face transplant. Prof. Jean-Michel Dubernard, and team replaced parts of her missing nose, lips and chin. Dinoire had lost parts of a her face when her Labrador nipped at her while she lay unconscious after a suicide attempt. Against her family's wishes, the dog was put down. The dog's attempts at waking her up probably saved her life.

Earlier this year a man in China had a partial face transplant. He had been mauled by a bear.

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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