Ann Conkle
Mar 27, 2012

University of Maryland completes most extensive full face transplant to date

Today, the details of the most extensive full face transplant completed to date, including both jaws, teeth, and tongue, were released. The 36-hour operation occurred March 19-20, 2012, and involved a team of over 150 physicians, nurses and professional staff. The team was led by Eduardo D. Rodriguez, associate professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "We utilized innovative surgical practices and computerized techniques to precisely transplant the mid-face, maxilla and mandible including teeth, and a portion of the tongue. In addition, the transplant included all facial soft tissue from the scalp to the neck, including the underlying muscles to enable facial expression, and sensory and motor nerves to restore feeling and function," explains Dr. Rodriquez. The face transplant was part of a 72-hour marathon of transplant activity. The family of one anonymous donor generously donated his face and also saved five other lives through organ donation.

Patents
1