Britain wins the face race
Partial transplant ... Isabelle Dinoire
By EMMA MORTON, Health Reporter
OCTOBER 26, 2006
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BRITAIN is set to carry out the world’s first full-face transplant — beating America, France and China.
A British or Irish patient with severe disfigurement could have the groundbreaking operation within months.
Leading plastic surgeon Peter Butler, 44, was given the thumbs-up yesterday by the ethics committee of London’s Royal Free Hospital.
Last November, French surgeons performed a partial face transplant on Isabelle Dinoire, 38, who had been savaged by her dog. But full-face surgery is more complex.
Pioneer ... plastic surgeon Peter Butler
It will cost £25,000 per patient and take more than 15 hours.
American surgeons Dr John Barker, from Louisville University, and Maria Siemionow of the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, have spent the past three years preparing to do the op.
But pioneering Mr Butler has raced past them both.
He has been researching the procedure, which will involve up to six surgeons, for FIFTEEN years.
His team has been approached by 34 patients although no one has been selected for the op.
Mr Butler said four candidates would be chosen and one would have the op in the near future.
If that was a success, the three others would go under the knife six months later.
Patients will be selected on their ability to deal with the psychological aspects.
Procedure ... how face transplant works
These include coping with the change in their appearance and their support network. Mr Butler said: “We can now begin to evaluate patients and draw up a shortlist.
“It’s really important that we select the right patient.
“We will continue to take a cautious and careful approach.”
The surgery, using the face of a brain-dead donor, is controversial. There are fears that the recipient could bear a striking resemblance to the donor.
This could distress those who have lost their loved one.
But that eventuality has been ruled out by experts because, they say, a person’s unique bone structure makes it impossible.
The surgery carries risks — mainly from the immuno-suppressant drugs used to stop the recipient’s body rejecting the new face.
Irish-born Mr Butler set up a charity called the Face Trust to raise funds for the transplant.
Burned Falklands war veteran Simon Weston, 45, is its patron.
He said he would not want the operation now but supported the idea for other people. Simon added: “I’m absolutely delighted for Peter Butler and his team.”
The Face Trust's patron will be Falklands War veteran Simon Weston who was severely disfigured when the Sir Galahad burned
But the Royal College of Surgeons said: “The College still has grave concerns about face transplantation.”
thesun.co.uk
Partial transplant ... Isabelle Dinoire
OCTOBER 26, 2006
ADD COMMENT
BRITAIN is set to carry out the world’s first full-face transplant — beating America, France and China.
A British or Irish patient with severe disfigurement could have the groundbreaking operation within months.
Leading plastic surgeon Peter Butler, 44, was given the thumbs-up yesterday by the ethics committee of London’s Royal Free Hospital.
Last November, French surgeons performed a partial face transplant on Isabelle Dinoire, 38, who had been savaged by her dog. But full-face surgery is more complex.
It will cost £25,000 per patient and take more than 15 hours.
American surgeons Dr John Barker, from Louisville University, and Maria Siemionow of the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, have spent the past three years preparing to do the op.
But pioneering Mr Butler has raced past them both.
He has been researching the procedure, which will involve up to six surgeons, for FIFTEEN years.
His team has been approached by 34 patients although no one has been selected for the op.
Mr Butler said four candidates would be chosen and one would have the op in the near future.
If that was a success, the three others would go under the knife six months later.
Patients will be selected on their ability to deal with the psychological aspects.
These include coping with the change in their appearance and their support network. Mr Butler said: “We can now begin to evaluate patients and draw up a shortlist.
“It’s really important that we select the right patient.
“We will continue to take a cautious and careful approach.”
The surgery, using the face of a brain-dead donor, is controversial. There are fears that the recipient could bear a striking resemblance to the donor.
This could distress those who have lost their loved one.
But that eventuality has been ruled out by experts because, they say, a person’s unique bone structure makes it impossible.
The surgery carries risks — mainly from the immuno-suppressant drugs used to stop the recipient’s body rejecting the new face.
Irish-born Mr Butler set up a charity called the Face Trust to raise funds for the transplant.
Burned Falklands war veteran Simon Weston, 45, is its patron.
He said he would not want the operation now but supported the idea for other people. Simon added: “I’m absolutely delighted for Peter Butler and his team.”
The Face Trust's patron will be Falklands War veteran Simon Weston who was severely disfigured when the Sir Galahad burned
But the Royal College of Surgeons said: “The College still has grave concerns about face transplantation.”
thesun.co.uk