He was disfigured after an accident and received the first successful face and hand transplant

The American Joe DiMeo (22) became the first person in the world to receive a successful face and both hand transplant, as announced by her team at New York University Hospital.

The young man had a horrible car accident in July 2018 caused burns to 80% of his body, when he fell asleep on his way home. His car overturned and then exploded.

Although he had quick help from another driver who was passing by, due to injuries several fingers were amputated, had severe scarring on the face and loss of lips and eyelids, which affected his vision and ability to lead a normal, independent life.

He spent four months in the burning unit, where he received numerous life-saving transplants and blood transfusions. Doctors placed him in induced coma for two and a half months.

After the operation, DiMeo assured that he now has “a second chance in life“and sent a message of hope.

“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel, never give upsaid the patient at a press conference hosted by NYU Langone Health, which performed this pioneering operation. I can’t wait to get back to work, ”he concluded.

The surgery was performed in August of last year and lasted around 23 hours. Involved a team of 96 people directed by the surgeon Eduardo Rodriguez, director of the NYU Langone Face Transplant Program.

“We are all of the opinion that Joe is the perfect patient“Rodriguez said.” He is the most motivated patient I have ever met. “

This was the fourth face transplant performed by Rodríguez, and the first of the hands performed under his direction.

Two other simultaneous face and hand transplant attempts are known, but both failed. One of the patients died of infection, while the other had to undergo amputation of the transplanted hands.

A reactive antibody test indicated that DiMeo would reject 94% of donorsFinding a compatible one required a nationwide search “equivalent to finding a needle in a haystack,” Rodríguez said.

Matched Donor Eventually Found in Delaware, Thanks to Donor Program Gift of life.

DIME received a transplant from both hands to the middle of the forearm, including the radius and ulna, three dominant nerves, six blood veins requiring vascular connections and 21 tendons.

He also had a full face transplant, including his forehead, eyebrows, both ears, nose, eyelids, lips and skull bones, cheekbones, nose and chin.

Source: AFP

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