For the first time transplanted hands and face at the same time

For the first time a human at the same two hands and the face have been transplanted. The 30-year-old Frenchman had suffered in an accident in 2004 such severe burns to his facial muscles and fingers were completely destroyed.
The patient could no longer participate in social life, the Paris hospital administration AP-HP said on Monday night. The 30-hour operation at the weekend was in the hospital of Henri Mondor Creteil, near Paris, was successful.

found a year the patient was on the waiting list for transplantation until a suitable donor was. The doctors transplanted the man both hands above the wrists. This was the facial area above the lips, including nose, ears, eyelids, eyebrows and hair. The medical team worked through the night.


Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin congratulated the doctors Professor Laurent Lantieri, Jean-Paul Méningaud, Christian Dumontier and Professor Levon Doursounian and its approximately 40 employees to its success. She lifted it out the courage of patients and praised the protrusion of the French GP. Until now, the world six facial transplants, including four in France. The first hand was transferred in 1998 in Lyon, the first face Amiens in 2005.

The surgery is particularly difficult because the nerves in the lids are very fine, said the doctors. Moreover, it is very difficult to link the tear ducts exactly. Lantieri for it is the third face transfer. The doctor said the patient was in generally good condition. The man was placed in an induced coma to promote healing. The risk of rejection of foreign tissue, according to professionals in the transfer of large parts of the body no larger than small. She remains well after overcoming the critical first phase of a lifetime.