Face transplant woman has something to smile about

Nov 28 2006

Thirty eight year old French woman Isabelle Dinoire who received the world's first face transplant has made a remarkable recovery and is now able to go out without anyone noticing her scars.

Her doctor Bernard Devauchelle, a professor at Amiens Hospital in northern France, used the first anniversary of the pioneering operation to announce his intention to carry out further facial grafts.

Devauchelle says that Dinoire, who was disfigured in an attack by her dog, had made excellent progress since her nose, lips and chin were replaced with a graft from a brain-dead donor.

Before the operation, her ravaged appearance was such that people would stare in shock and horror and at home she removed all mirrors, so she did not frighten herself.

Professor Devauchelle says aesthetically, the transplant has fitted in very well with the shape of her face and when she is in a crowd, she does not stand out as 'the transplant patient'.

He says though scars were still visible and minor inflammation occurred near wires that lie beneath the skin, that is easily covered with a little make-up.

Since the lengthy and groundbreaking operation in 2005, which took 15 hours and a 50-strong surgical team, Ms Dinoire has experienced two bouts of tissue rejection, one in December, and a second in June, but both were controlled with immunosuppressant treatment.

Professor Devauchelle says as far as facial sensitivity is concerned, skin warmth and tactility has been restored and mobility has also returned despite a contraction in the left cheek, which is being treated with physiotherapy.

Mother of two, Ms Dinoire is now able to eat and drink without difficulty, and has even bought a new dog.

She has however been forced to move house to avoid the media attention.

Professor Devauchelle has apparently been given the permission and the funds to carry out five transplants over the next three years.

Last month British surgeon, Peter Butler from the Royal Free Hospital in London, announced that he had been given permission to perform the first full-face transplant.