Facial transplantation surgery

Abstract

It is well known that patients with severe facial injuries accompanied by facial disfiguration are vulnerable to a poor quality of life. With the help of facial transplantation, it has become possible to achieve an optimal anatomical reconstruction. As compared to conventional methods, it can provide more desirable functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial outcomes. Face transplantation surgeons need to consider many problems associated with the criteria for selecting patients, techniques for harvesting the donor tissue, prediction of the expected functional outcomes, limitations in obtaining written informed consent for conducting the procedure, evaluation of the post-transplant immunological response and postoperative immunosuppressant requirements, psychological and social outcomes for the patients, and other concerns about funding and ethical issues. © 2014 The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.