AP reports that the first partial face transplant has happened in France, of course, leaving the good people of Cleveland and Louisville to compete for the first whole-face (is that even a coherent term?) transplant. We’ve followed this since the whole business started, including the first major collection about the ethical issues for it. Worth checking out just for the dopey puns. Anyway here’s the scoop:
The hospitals statement said the woman was in excellent condition, and the transplanted organs looked normal. She wants to remain anonymous, the statement added.
The woman was disfigured by a dog bite in May, and the injury made it difficult for her to speak and chew, the statement said. Such injuries are extremely difficult, if not impossible to repair using normal surgical techniques, it added.
The organs were taken from a donor who was brain dead, with the familys consent, the statement said.
Experts say the mouth and nose are the most difficult parts of the face to transplant.