Progress with Face Transplants

Soldato
Joined
23 Nov 2007
Posts
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Location
Lancashire, UK
Apologies if this has already been posted, but I couldn't spot it.

I know over recent years there have been various headlines on face transplant operations, with the outcomes all being life changing improvements for the patients, but still not quite a "normal" face. I was pretty amazed by the latest one that has been reported, since in my mind it's the first one where the patient has ended up with a "normal" outcome.

I didn't have any real discussion point to make on this, just wanted to share what I thought was a pretty impressive achievement, not to mention the benefits to the patient.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17532303
 
There was a TV programme last year on BBC called Frontline Medicine where they looked at several big advances in medicine as a result of injuries to soldiers. The last topic was on face transplants and they said that now the recipient can get almost full sensitivity of the face back.

Definitely worth a watch if you're interested in this sort of thing.

EDIT :http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017ld7n/episodes/guide
 
It it really quite amazing that things like this are possible - remember Face/Off and how ludicrous it seemed at the time? Hope that chap is able to lead a fuller life now.
 
Wow, just looks like he has been in a scrap, what an amazing transformation!

Great acheivement for all involved.
 
There was a TV programme last year on BBC called Frontline Medicine where they looked at several big advances in medicine as a result of injuries to soldiers. The last topic was on face transplants and they said that now the recipient can get almost full sensitivity of the face back.

Definitely worth a watch if you're interested in this sort of thing.

EDIT :http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017ld7n/episodes/guide

I can't google now because I'm at work and will probably find a lot of dodgy images...... but I remember reading about a pioneering surgeon during WW1 who developed many techniques involving facial reconstruction. Due to the nature of trench warfare and the increase in armoured helmets, a huge number of casualties in WW1 ended up surviving with terrible injuries to their faces.

Specifically he mastered temporarily re-routing blood vessels inside flaps of skin to ensure parts of the face didn't die when their usual supply had been damaged.
 
He looks like someone I knew lol, like really like him, spitting double.

Fixed. :p

I'd be very interested to see an interview with him as he is now. I wonder how normally he'll be able to live and socialise now?
 
That is awesome, the guy 'after' just looks like he's been in a fight! A huge improvement and I'm sure he's a lot happier, really pleased for him.
 
Absolutely amazing. I assume the scarring and swelling around the eyes will disappear to a great extent and that maybe the eyes will open more as it all heals. I'll be interested to see how much facial expression is possible, ie, if the new facial skin, lips and forehead/eyebrows will interact with the muscles well.
 
i saw the comparison picture in the random image thread and thought it was someone with a facial disfigurement on the left, and a normal guy on the right with the stereotypical look of someone who isnt the sharpest knife in the draw

i feel really bad now :(
 
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