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Surgical Approach to Full Soft Tissue Face Allograft Procurement for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation
Published on: December 30, 2025
Facial allotransplantation: a 3-year follow-up report
J Rodrigo Diaz-Siso1, Melanie Parker, Ericka M Bueno
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Summary
Face transplantation offers significant functional and aesthetic recovery, improving quality of life. Long-term follow-up demonstrates successful management of complications and optimized immunosuppression in reconstructive surgery.
Area of Science:
- Reconstructive surgery
- Transplantation medicine
- Burn reconstruction
Background:
- Long-term follow-up is crucial for understanding face transplantation risks and benefits.
- Gradual functional improvement is observed in face transplant recipients over time.
- Severe facial defects necessitate advanced reconstructive procedures like face transplantation.
Observation:
- A male patient underwent face transplantation following high-voltage burns in 2009.
- Intensive physical and occupational therapy were administered post-surgery.
- The patient was monitored for functional recovery, immunosuppression, and quality of life.
Findings:
- Three years post-transplantation, near-normal sensation and improved motor function were achieved.
- Satisfactory aesthetic outcomes, enhanced speech, facial expressions, and social interaction were reported.
- Infectious, metabolic, and immunologic complications were managed effectively, allowing for reduced immunosuppression and steroid withdrawal.
Implications:
- Face transplantation is a viable option in reconstructive surgery for severe facial defects.
- Continued optimization of immunosuppression and surgical techniques is essential for improving outcomes.
- Successful long-term management highlights the potential of face transplantation to restore function and improve quality of life.
