12/17/08
A multi-disciplinary team of doctors and surgeons at Cleveland Clinic recently performed the first near-total face transplant in the United States.
In a 22-hour procedure performed within the past two weeks, surgeons transplanted 80 percent of a woman’s face who suffered severe facial trauma – essentially replacing her entire face, except for her upper eyelids, forehead, lower lip and chin. For the privacy and protection of those involved, no information will be released on the patient, the donor, or their families. A written statement from the patient’s sibling is available at http://www.clevelandclinic.org/lp/face_transplant/default.htm
This is the largest and most complex face transplant in the world, integrating different functional components such as nose and lower eyelids, as well as different tissue types including , skin, muscles, bony structures, arteries veins and nerves.
“This work demonstrates the Clinic’s commitment to improving the lives of patients through innovation,” said Delos M. “Toby” Cosgrove, M.D., President and CEO, Cleveland Clinic. “By advancing scientific research in microsurgery and transplantation, the Clinic is setting new standards of care. I’m extremely proud of the team of physicians and staff who worked tirelessly to make a difference in this patient’s life.”
The transplant team was led by Maria Siemionow, M.D., Ph.D., Section Head of Plastic Surgery Research, who received worldwide attention in November 2004 when the Clinic’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) announced that face transplantation is both ethical and possible by approving the first protocol for the surgery. Siemionow, a highly regarded scientist, has dedicated her professional life to researching and developing the methods doctors could use to substantially help patients with severe facial disfiguration.
The Cleveland Clinic Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute led the face transplant surgery, partnering with the Cleveland Clinic Head & Neck Institute. Staff members from psychology/psychiatry, bioethics, social work, anesthesia, transplant, nursing, infectious disease, dentistry, ophthalmology, pharmacy, environmental services and security were also significantly involved.
For more information, please call Cleveland Clinic at 1.888.428.2247 or 216-636-8535. Members of the media can call the Media Relations Department at 216.444.0141.
Related Resources
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/lp/face_transplant/default.htm
