A thirty-one year old man, who goes only by the name of Oscar, underwent the world's first full face transplant after a horrific shooting incident that occurred five years ago. The shooting that Oscar endured, left his whole face completely maimed, effecting his entire facial skin area and muscles, including his nose and lips which needed replacing as well.
Oscar came public and revealed his new face on national television. To see a picture of his new face, please visite MaxHealth.com.
Oscar's massive surgery took place last March at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona. He only was cleared to have a full facial transplant after nine other surgeries he had failed. Ten surgeries he had were only partial. After twenty four non-stop hours around the clock, thirty experts teamed to carry out this full facial surgery.
BCC News stated, "Led by Dr JP Barret, the team transplanted muscles, nose, lips, maxilla, palate, all teeth, cheekbones, and the mandible by means of plastic surgery and micro-neurovascular reconstructive surgery techniques."
The Vall d'Hebron University Hospital shared more detail about how they did the surgery. They said that Oscar lost his jaw, nose and other parts of his face in shooting accident. As a result, they had to take a donor's facial skin, muscles, nose, cheekbones, teeth and jawbone and use these to rebuild Oscar's face. Metal plates were used to support new facial structure, which included reconstructing the roof of the mouth as well. In addition, a donor's nerves, blood vessels and skin were connected to Oscar. Now, Oscar will need to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life.
Oscar wanted to make sure he thanked the medics and his donor's family who all helped to give him his new face. He told the news conference: "Friends, I want to thank the hospital coordinators, the entire medical team, the family of the donor and most of all my family who are supporting me these days."
Oscars doctors are saying that he will regain not all, but up to ninety percent of his facial functions. After the shooting, Oscar could not breathe, swallow or talk coherently. He still struggles to speak clearly and will need months of physical therapy.
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