Facial Transplantation

Abstract

Facial transplantation is a vascularized composite allotransplantation, which may be considered in patients with extensive and challenging facial defects for which conventional reconstructive approaches fail to provide satisfactory functional and esthetic outcomes. Facial transplantation has the advantage of replacing defective or absent structures with anatomically identical tissues. Facial transplantation may provide functional, esthetic, and psychosocial benefits, but must be weighed against risks such as lifelong immunosuppression. Success is reliant on patient understanding, motivation, consent and compliance, and a multidisciplinary approach with careful team planning and organization. This review highlights the achievements, challenges, and future directions of this rapidly evolving field.

Keywords: Craniomaxillofacial surgery; Face transplant; Facial reconstruction; Facial transplantation; Immunosuppression; Microsurgery; Vascularized composite allotransplantation; Virtual surgical planning.