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25/10/2006
UK to perform first full-face transplant
British surgeons have been given permission to perform the world’s first full-face transplant.
Professor Peter Butler will head the team at the Royal Free Hospital, London, a spokesperson for the hospital said.
Around 30 potential patients from around the world have approached the team, but no one has been selected for the procedure.
Mr Butler said: “I feel delighted that we have got the go-ahead. It’s been a long journey but this is just the beginning really.
“The most important part of the process starts now, which is selection of the patients.”
Mr Butler has researched face transplants for several years, and will choose four patients from the UK or Ireland. They are likely to have pan-facial disfigurement, such as severe burns affecting the whole face.
The operation will involve removing skin, underlying fat and eight blood vessels as well as four arteries and four veins from a donor patient.
“These patients will have already undergone reconstructive surgery – perhaps they will have had 50 to 70 reconstructive operations,” he explained.
“They have reached the end of the constructive ladder and there’s nothing more it can offer them.
Butler also explained further problems of integration into society as a key factor when considering candidates, stating they want to be able to “walk down the street in society without anybody staring at them. That’s all these people want – to be normal.”
French surgeons last year performed the first partial face transplant, on Isabelle Dinoire, 38 after her pet dog mauled her.
(JM)
Professor Peter Butler will head the team at the Royal Free Hospital, London, a spokesperson for the hospital said.
Around 30 potential patients from around the world have approached the team, but no one has been selected for the procedure.
Mr Butler said: “I feel delighted that we have got the go-ahead. It’s been a long journey but this is just the beginning really.
“The most important part of the process starts now, which is selection of the patients.”
Mr Butler has researched face transplants for several years, and will choose four patients from the UK or Ireland. They are likely to have pan-facial disfigurement, such as severe burns affecting the whole face.
The operation will involve removing skin, underlying fat and eight blood vessels as well as four arteries and four veins from a donor patient.
“These patients will have already undergone reconstructive surgery – perhaps they will have had 50 to 70 reconstructive operations,” he explained.
“They have reached the end of the constructive ladder and there’s nothing more it can offer them.
Butler also explained further problems of integration into society as a key factor when considering candidates, stating they want to be able to “walk down the street in society without anybody staring at them. That’s all these people want – to be normal.”
French surgeons last year performed the first partial face transplant, on Isabelle Dinoire, 38 after her pet dog mauled her.
(JM)
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