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Cavaliere A, Rega U, Grimaldi S, Esposito G, Pensato R, D'Andrea F, Longo B, Coiante E, Hersant B, Meningaud JP, La Padula S. Long-term outcomes and future challenges in face transplantation. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2024; 92:87-103. [PMID: 38513344 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.02.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Face transplant (FT) has emerged as a groundbreaking option for patients with severe facial deformities, resulting from congenital disorders, trauma, or tumor ablation. Although reconstructive surgery has made significant strides, the challenges of restoring both form and function remain, particularly in centrally located defects. This review explored the long-term outcomes of FT, addressing its challenges and potential pitfalls. A systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines was conducted, encompassing articles published in English from November 2005 to January 2023, which were searched across PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases. Keywords included "face transplant," "face transplant outcomes," and "face transplant long-term." Data on surgical teams, patient demographics, transplant specifics, rejection episodes, additional surgeries, and patient-reported outcomes were extracted and analyzed. In total, 34 articles met the inclusion criteria. Over the 2 decades, 48 FT procedures were performed, with 23 patients followed for at least 3 years. Predominantly, patients were men (80%), averaging 31 years in age. Ballistic trauma (44.6%) and burns (25.5%) were common causes of injury. Chronic rejection emerged as a significant concern, leading to graft loss and necessitating retransplantation in 2 patients. Additional surgical procedures were often required. FT offers a remarkable solution for individuals with extensive facial disfigurement. Successful outcomes depend on factors, such as patient selection, multidisciplinary collaboration, psychiatric evaluation, and post-operative care. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including the need for lifelong immunosuppression and risk of chronic rejection. Although FT has transformed lives, continued success in this evolving field hinges on the ongoing research and vigilant patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annachiara Cavaliere
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Umberto Rega
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Grimaldi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Esposito
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosita Pensato
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Andrea
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Benedetto Longo
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Edoardo Coiante
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Barbara Hersant
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Jean Paul Meningaud
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Simone La Padula
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France.
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La Padula S, Pensato R, Pizza C, Coiante E, Roccaro G, Longo B, D’Andrea F, Wirz FS, Hersant B, Meningaud JP. Face Transplant: Indications, Outcomes, and Ethical Issues-Where Do We Stand? J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195750. [PMID: 36233619 PMCID: PMC9571096 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The addition of face allotransplantation (FT) to the head and neck reconstructive surgery arsenal has started a true revolution. This study is aimed at providing an extensive analysis of the current practice of composite tissue allotransplantation. Moreover, a thorough description of pre-procedural, intra-operative, and post-procedural settings, indications, contraindications, outcomes, ethical considerations, and future perspectives is provided. Methods: The authors’ experience was supplemented with a literature review performed by using the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases on 21 February 2022. The search terms used were “face transplantation indications”, “face transplantation complications”, and “face transplantation ethical issues”. Results: The most recent achievements and long-term clinical sequelae of FT are classified and summarized. A large number of records (4435) were identified. Seventy-five articles were assessed for eligibility. Publications without new data and reports with a patient follow-up < 5 years were excluded. Nineteen articles met the criteria for inclusion. Conclusions: The most recent achievements in the field of FT may be combined with cutting-edge regenerative medicine procedures and innovative immunological processing. It is paramount to build strong international networks between the world FT experts in order to achieve higher-level outcomes and reduce the complication rate. Nevertheless, the utmost caution is required in patient selection, clinical assessment, strict follow-up, and rejection management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone La Padula
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo Facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Rosita Pensato
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Pizza
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo Facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Edoardo Coiante
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo Facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Giovanni Roccaro
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo Facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Benedetto Longo
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco D’Andrea
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Hersant
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo Facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Jean Paul Meningaud
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillo Facial Surgery, Henri Mondor Hospital, University Paris XII, 51 Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France
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Parker A, Chaya BF, Rodriguez-Colon R, Hao Y, Kurian K, Trilles J, Boczar D, Brydges H, Rodriguez ED. Recipient Selection Criteria for Facial Transplantation: A Systematic Review. Ann Plast Surg 2022; 89:105-112. [PMID: 35749814 DOI: 10.1097/sap.0000000000003255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recipient selection is an important determinant of surgical outcomes in facial transplantation (FT). Appropriately, each FT program develops their own guidelines for recipient selection criteria. Currently, there is no resource to simultaneously assess and identify similarities and differences between these guidelines. Such information could be useful in distinguishing areas of FT that are well understood from those that could benefit from further exploration. METHODS We performed a systematic review of the scientific literature from inception to June 18, 2021, using Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus to identify articles pertaining to recipient selection criteria. Clinical trials were identified through the Clinicaltrials.gov registry. United States and international program websites were reviewed for patient-facing information. RESULTS Our systematic review yielded 90 suitable articles, 8 clinical trials, and 7 program websites containing the recipient selection criteria of 24 different FT programs. The most reported on recipient criteria were age, positive human immunodeficiency viral status (HIV+), positive hepatitis C viral status, psychosocial stability, and medical compliance. Other criteria were rarely addressed, such as blindness and recipient immune status. CONCLUSIONS Guidelines among different face transplant programs are changing over time. We found consensus on certain recipient selection criteria, but the majority remain program or surgeon dependent, emphasizing that FT is still an evolving procedure. Although most programs reported on their recipient selection criteria, the rationale was often missing. Further discussion about recipient selection criteria and the reasoning behind employing or changing them will help advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bachar F Chaya
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University, New York, NY
| | | | - Yvonne Hao
- From the New York University Grossman School of Medicine
| | - Keerthi Kurian
- California Northstate University, College of Medicine, Elk Grove, CA
| | - Jorge Trilles
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Daniel Boczar
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Hilliard Brydges
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Eduardo D Rodriguez
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University, New York, NY
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More Facetime: An Emerging Role for Telemedicine in Facial Transplantation. Plast Reconstr Surg 2021; 148:1090e-1092e. [PMID: 34705808 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000008537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
LEARNING OBJECTIVES After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Appreciate the evolution and increasing complexity of transplanted facial allografts over the past two decades. 2. Discuss indications and contraindications for facial transplantation, and donor and recipient selection criteria and considerations. 3. Discuss logistical, immunologic, and cost considerations in facial transplantation, in addition to emerging technologies used. 4. Understand surgical approaches and anatomical and technical nuances of the procedure. 5. Describe aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes of facial transplantation reported to date. SUMMARY This CME article highlights principles and evolving concepts in facial transplantation. The field has witnessed significant advances over the past two decades, with more than 40 face transplants reported to date. The procedure now occupies the highest rung on the reconstructive ladder for patients with extensive facial disfigurement who are not amenable to autologous reconstructive approaches, in pursuit of optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes. Indications, contraindications, and donor and recipient considerations for the procedure are discussed. The authors also review logistical, immunologic, and cost considerations of facial transplantation. Surgical approaches to allograft procurement and transplantation, in addition to technical and anatomical nuances of the procedure, are provided. Finally, the authors review aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes that have been reported to date.
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Kimberly LL, Ramly EP, Alfonso AR, Diep GK, Berman ZP, Rodriguez ED. Equity in access to facial transplantation. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2020; 47:medethics-2020-106129. [PMID: 33060187 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We examine ethical considerations in access to facial transplantation (FT), with implications for promoting health equity. As a form of vascularised composite allotransplantation, FT is still considered innovative with a relatively low volume of procedures performed to date by a small number of active FT programmes worldwide. However, as numbers continue to increase and institutions look to establish new FT programmes, we anticipate that attention will shift from feasibility towards ensuring the benefits of FT are equitably available to those in need. This manuscript assesses barriers to care and their ethical implications across a number of considerations, with the intent of mapping various factors relating to health equity and fair access to FT. Evidence is drawn from an evolving clinical experience as well as published scholarship addressing several dimensions of access to FT. We also explore novel concerns that have yet to be mentioned in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Kimberly
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Medical Ethics, Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elie P Ramly
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Allyson R Alfonso
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gustave K Diep
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zoe P Berman
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Eduardo D Rodriguez
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
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