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Objectives: Update on clinical results obtained by the first worldwide facial transplantation teams as well as
review of the literature concerning the main surgical, immunological, ethical, and follow-up aspects described on
facial transplanted patients.
Study design: MEDLINE search of articles published on "face transplantation" until March 2012.
Results: Eighteen clinical cases were studied. The mean patient age was 37.5 years, with a higher prevalence of
men. Main surgical indication was gunshot injuries (6 patients). All patients had previously undergone multiple
conventional surgical reconstructive procedures which had failed. Altogether 8 transplant teams belonging to 4
countries participated. Thirteen partial face transplantations and 5 full face transplantations have been performed.
Allografts are varied according to face anatomical components and the amount of skin, muscle, bone, and other
tissues included, though all were grafted successfully and remained viable without significant postoperative
surgical complications. The patient with the longest follow-up was 5 years. Two patients died 2 and 27 months
after transplantation.
Conclusions: Clinical experience has demonstrated the feasibility of facial transplantation as a valuable
reconstructive option, but it still remains considered as an experimental procedure with unresolved issues to
settle down. Results show that from a clinical, technical, and immunological standpoint, facial transplantation has
achieved functional, aesthetic, and social rehabilitation in severely facial disfigured patients.
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