Face Transplant Program

At NYU Langone’s Face Transplant Program, part of the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery and under the leadership of Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, DDS, our experts have performed multiple face transplants. These include the first face transplant in New York State and the world’s first whole-eye and partial-face transplant.

We are pioneers in face transplant surgery, as one of only a handful of medical centers in the United States—and the only one in New York State—with a dedicated program for face transplants.

Pioneers in Face Transplant Surgery

A face transplant is an incredibly complex procedure that requires the expertise of more than 100 physicians, nurses, medical staff, and support staff. This surgery involves the transplantation of facial tissue from a deceased donor to a person with a severe facial deformity. A face transplant has the potential to transform a person’s life by restoring function, appearance, and sensation in the face, as well as enhancing overall quality of life.

We use the most advanced three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology before and during the surgery to create a model of the donor’s face, map out the complex procedure for the recipient, develop a plan to achieve maximum aesthetic and functional results, and guide the entire operation.

As innovators, our experts in the Face Transplant Program continue to perform research to improve all aspects of this procedure. Recently, our surgeons achieved the shortest wait time of approximately 18 months, from initial injury to the face transplant surgery, for a patient. This substantial reduction in wait time allows for better physical and emotional recovery for our patients.

 

“I am very grateful to be given a second chance.”

Joe, Age 22

Read All Face Transplant Patient Stories

Our surgeons’ experience and expertise have also helped them reduce the length of the surgery itself, which lowers the risk of complications for patients. This reduced surgery time helps to decrease the amount of time a patient stays in the hospital after the procedure, allowing them to return home sooner.

After our patients leave the hospital, they continue outpatient rehabilitation therapy through Rusk Rehabilitation, which often involves a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. They also take anti-rejection medications to help the body’s response to the new organ, and NYU Langone’s new anti-rejection therapies are helping to provide better outcomes for our patients.

Groundbreaking Transplant Procedures

Using the cutting-edge technology and expansive operating rooms found in NYU Langone’s Kimmel Pavilion, our highly skilled surgical teams simultaneously operate on donors and recipients to perform innovative transplant procedures.

Whole-Eye and Partial-Face Transplant

Building on the surgical expertise gained from our previous face transplant procedures, our team was the first to perform a whole-eye and partial-face transplant. Our surgeons transplanted the donor’s entire left eye and a portion of the face to the recipient, helping to restore appearance. This procedure demonstrates how our team continues to embrace innovation in the field of face transplantation.

Face and Double Hand Transplant

Our team was also the first in the world to successfully transplant both hands to the mid-forearm and the full face of a single donor to the same recipient. The groundbreaking success of this combination transplant procedure illustrates our team’s dedication to taking on new challenges and advancing the field of transplantation.

Contact Us

If you are a physician or a patient who would like more information about our face transplant services, please contact us at 646-501-4481 or email FaceTransplant@NYULangone.org.