Face Transplants

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 31 Dec 2005 - 19:00 PDT

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Doctors in France have performed the world's first partial face transplant, grafting a nose, lips and chin onto a 38-year-old woman disfigured by a dog bite. Following are experts who can discuss the medical and ethical implications of face transplants:

**1. JOHN A. GROSSMAN, M.D., director and founder of GROSSMAN PLASTIC SURGERY: "The recent partial face transplant is another example of just how far science can go. However, there must be a compelling reason to warrant this kind of surgery, such as a massive burn or severe disfigurement. For most people, the face is the most personal piece of recognition and self- identity. Altering it completely can be extremely traumatic. There are also medical issues with rejection of the tissue and exposing the patient to anti- rejection medication. If a facial transplant is performed for primarily aesthetic purposes, it amounts to little more than showboating and grandstanding, rather than responsible medicine."

**2. ANDREW A. JACONO, MD, FACS, surgical director of the NEW YORK CENTER FOR FACIAL PLASTIC AND LASER SURGERY: "Major facial reconstruction can take dozens of operations to remove tissues from other parts of the body and graft them to the face, with a 'mask-like' face as a result. The possibility of face transplanting offers hope to such patients. Small muscle fibers, vessels and several cranial nerves must be carefully reattached. Although gross facial movements are possible, precise facial expressions are unattainable. The face survives after transplant with modern immunosuppressive medicine. He or she cannot go out in public without a sense of shame and isolation. The hope of this surgery outweighs the potential risks."

**3. DR. ANTHONY GRIFFIN, M.D. F.A.C.S. of the BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC SURGERY INSTITUTE: "Face transplants are an outstanding part of the future of plastic surgery. We have the technology and will use it. However, the ethical debate as to whether or not it is appropriate will continue to rage on." Through his years of satisfying patients and pioneering safer surgery techniques, Griffin has become one of the foremost authorities on plastic surgery. He stars on ABC's "Extreme Makeover," which features his signature techniques. He is also considered an authority on plastic surgery for skin of color. Griffin is highly recognized for his scar-free surgery and scar-prone safe surgical techniques, and is an author on the subject. His surgeries have also been featured on CNN, Time Magazine, The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and more, and he has been featured as a general expert and commentator on E! Entertainment Television and shows like "Access Hollywood."

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