A 30-year-old man has undergone a transformative face transplant at Mayo Clinic, US.
It has restored critical functions – blinking, swallowing, smiling and nasal breathing lost for over a decade following a gunshot injury.
The procedure, led by Dr Samir Mardini, director of the Reconstructive Transplant Programme, was completed over 50 hours with a multidisciplinary team of 80 specialists.
The surgery replaced 85% of 30-year-old patient Derek Pfaff’s face.
Precision planning involved digital surgical simulations, 3D-printed guides and facial nerve mapping to ensure functional restoration.
Advanced microsurgery reconnected 18 nerve branches and transplanted the donor’s tear drainage system.
The intricate transplant required replacing virtually everything below Derek’s eyebrows and part of his forehead, including his upper and lower eyelids and intra-orbital fat, upper and lower jaws, teeth, nose, cheek structure, neck skin, hard palate and parts of his soft palate.
One of the most critical aspects of face transplant surgery was ensuring that the donor and recipient’s delicate facial nerves – 18 branches between the two sides – were connected correctly to restore function.
This required preoperative facial nerve mapping.
A new microsurgery technique was employed to transplant the donor's tear drainage system, which allows Derek’s tears to drain into his new nose. He can now express emotion through his transplanted facial muscles and nerves.
LifeSource, a federally designated organ procurement, also played a pivotal role in the transplant, working closely with the donor’s family and Mayo Clinic care teams.
Thanks to his face transplant, Derek says he is focused on planning his future.
‘This surgery has transformed my life. I feel so much more confident. I hope to meet someone, settle down and have a family. I will also keep sharing my story with others to help as many people as possible.’
Dr Mardini said: ‘This successful transplant would not have been possible without the donor and his family’s generous gift and the care team’s collaboration and dedication.’
Hatem Amer, medical director of Mayo Clinic’s Reconstructive Transplant Programme, added: ‘Mayo Clinic Transplant Centre is the largest integrated transplant centre in the world. We were the first transplant centre in the country to make face transplant part of its clinical practice. That has allowed us to focus exclusively on the needs of each patient.’
