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Tissue Transplantation

Tissue Transplantation

Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Surgical Approach to Full Soft Tissue Face Allograft Procurement for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Surgical Approach to Full Soft Tissue Face Allograft Procurement for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Published on: December 30, 2025

First human face transplantation: 5 years outcomes.

Palmina Petruzzo¹, Sylvie Testelin, Jean Kanitakis

¹Department of Transplantation, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, HCL, Lyon, France. petruzzo@medicina.unica.it

Transplantation

|December 15, 2011

Summary

Five years after the first human facial allotransplantation, the patient achieved satisfying aesthetic and functional recovery. Long-term complications were managed, allowing normal social interaction.

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Area of Science:

Reconstructive surgery
Transplantation immunology
Facial allotransplantation outcomes

Background:

The first human facial allotransplantation was performed in 2005 on a 38-year-old female patient.
This study evaluates the aesthetic and functional recovery, as well as the risk-benefit ratio, five years post-transplantation.

Observation:

The facial transplant included the nose, chin, lips, and parts of the cheeks.
The immunosuppressive regimen involved tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, prednisone, antithymocyte globulins, and donor bone marrow infusion.
The patient experienced two acute rejection episodes in the first year, with no donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies detected.

Findings:

Satisfying aesthetic outcome and normal protective/discriminative sensibility.
Stable and rapid recovery of facial motion, enabling normal smiling, chewing, swallowing, and phonation.
Long-term complications included decreased renal function (managed by switching immunosuppression), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cervix carcinoma, cholangitis, and pneumopathy.

Implications:

Facial allotransplantation can yield significant aesthetic and functional benefits.
Long-term immunosuppression poses risks similar to solid organ transplantation, requiring careful management.
Successful facial transplantation can lead to improved quality of life and social integration.