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Most severe facial burns Successful face transplantation with firefighter
An American firefighter who suffered severe burns 15 years ago during a mission can now live an almost normal life again. In the past year, doctors had transplanted him a new face, scalp and ears. The man, however, relies on medication for the rest of his life.
Advances in transplantation medicine
In recent years, transplantation medicine has made tremendous progress. For example, doctors reported last year on the sensational transplantation of a skullcap. And doctors in the US have only a few months ago, the first penile grafting performed. In the meantime, even a head transplant is planned.
Since 2010, successful face transplants have been made over and over again. One of them benefited is Patrick Hardison. The American firefighter had suffered severe facial burns during a deployment.
In the US, doctors have given a man a new face, scalp and ear in a 26-hour operation. The firefighter had suffered severe burns during a mission. (Image: s_l / fotolia.com) Firefighter suffers severe facial burns
In 2001, Hardison suffered severe facial burns when a rooftop had collapsed over him during a deployment. In August of 2015, the New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center firefighter from Mississippi was transplanted a new face, scalp, ears, ear canals and parts of the bones of the chin, cheeks and nose.
In addition, the man received in the 26-hour operation eyelids and their muscles, reports the news agency AFP. Hardison had never been able to close his eyes properly since the disaster.
Waiting time until suitable donor was found
After the firefighter decided to transplant, he had to wait a year to find a donor suitable in age, height, skin and hair color whose family agreed to the procedure. The donor was the 26-year-old BMX athlete David Rodebaugh, who died in a traffic accident. His mother agreed to the organ donation.
Patient leads again largely normal life
Well, one year after the most comprehensive and complexest facial transplantation to date, Hardison claims to lead a largely normal life again. As the now 42-year-old reported at a press conference on the first anniversary of the intervention, he had even swum again for the first time in 15 years.
"My family and I made a detour to Disney World in June, and I swam with them in the pool. I did not do that for 15 years, "said Hardison.
"No staring anymore"
According to the information, thanks to his new eyelids and his ability to blink, his eyesight has improved, he can drive again and sleep better. "No more are staring, no more frightened children running away from me. I'm a pretty normal guy again, "says Hardison.
The fireman thanked the doctors and his family and said he also wanted to encourage other people in similar situations to think about a face transplant. With him, the chances of success of the complicated operation at 50:50 had lain.
Expectations of the doctors were exceeded
Surgeon Eduardo D. Rodriguez, who led the operation, said in a statement from the NYU Langone Medical Center that doctors were amazed at the patient's recovery, "all our expectations were exceeded." He said, "The ability to give Pat that level of independence was one of the main reasons we took this operation."
Dr. Rodriguez had previously done similar interventions. In 2012, for example, he was involved in the most extensive facial transplantation to date, in which a 37-year-old man received a new face following a gun injury.
Dependable on drugs forever
Pat Hardison wants to meet the family of the donor in autumn. The firefighter had to undergo several post-treatments since the transplants. It is said that he still has to go to the medical office once a month and is dependent on medication for the rest of his life. (Ad)