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NEW YORK – On Thursday, a New York-born, Hispanic-born plastic surgeon and his patient spoke publicly for the first time after a facial transplant after an extraordinary surgery and medical odyssey. It took place earlier this year.
Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, plastic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, explained in detail why his patient, Cameron Underwood, was the ideal candidate for a facial transplant. the surgical trip was lived by the native of Yuba, California.
"We think that all patients deserve a second chance and that Cameron certainly deserves it," Rodriguez said.
The medical odyssey of Underwood began self-inflicted bullet-shaped face injury in June 2016.
Left, computer image of face damage caused by the grafted face. On the right, you can see the donor area that was used during the facial transplant.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of NYU Langone Health
As a result of the traumatic injuries sustained and, despite several attempts at conventional facial reconstruction, Underwood eventually lost much of his lower jaw, all but one of his teeth, and his nose. He also suffered significant damage to the upper face and the palate area, severely affecting his ability to lead a normal life.
On July 13, 2017, 13 months after his initial injury, Underwood was put in jail. the waiting list for a facial transplant. Underwood, who resides in California, was scheduled to travel to New York each month for badessments, including clinical, psychological and social examinations.
However, before the transplant could take place, he began the search. ideal donor
Cameron Underwood in May 2015, before his facial wounds.
Photo credit: Underwood family courtesy
"It's like finding a needle in a haystack," Rodriguez said.
It is at that time that William Fisher, a 23-year-old Manhattan resident, chess champion, aspiring writer and filmmaker and student at Johns Hopkins University enters this story, unexpectedly becoming a hero.
Fisher, whom his parents and friends fondly remember from his extremely intelligent, amusing and compbadionate sense, was a registered organ donor, whom he had named as a teenager. 19659015] Donor William Fisher
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Fisher family
According to Rodriguez, "Willy", as he was fondly nicknamed, died suddenly.
Still deeply saddened by the loss of her son, Sally recognized the importance of her son's decision to be a donor and had the family's consent to give his handkerchief his paper and his face in Underwood.
"My son's death was a tragedy," Sally said. "I am grateful that in honoring his decision, we can bring to life other people, and especially for the fact that Will and Dr. Rodriguez gave Cameron and his family the opportunity to recover their dreams. "
Operation Underwood, which took place on January 5th, was a big challenge that required a team of more than 100 health professionals, including surgeons and nurses, lasting more than 25 hours .
Cameron Underwood at the hospital after his facial transplant.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Underwood family
This is the third facial graft performed under the medical direction of Rodriguez. In August 2015, with his team from the University of New York, he achieved what is considered the largest facial transplant ever recorded in the world.
However, Underwood's face transplant has established several important medical milestones. among which the shortest period in the United States is between the initial injury and the transplant; the longest distance traveled for a face transplant, with 2800 miles; one of the shortest waiting times for a donor (six months); and the fact that the refund was provided by a health insurance company.
In addition, medical care was also significantly improved compared to a former patient, including a reduction in the time of surgery and stay in the hospital.
Underwood's facial graft is also considered the most advanced technology in modern medicine. She is the first to use a 3D printing to create a donor facial mask, which doctors provided to Fisher's family.
Nearly 11 months after the surgery, Underwood's body did not refuse the transplant, making the surgery a success.
Cameron Underwood before a facial surgery and 11 months later. your transplant
Photo credit: Mary Spano and Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, DDS / Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Health
"It's a lot more open, a lot more jovial, a lot more interactive and I guess we're going to see a lot more, which confirms that this operation and the risk we all badumed was worth it," said Rodríguez. Underwood photo sharing enjoying an active and sporty lifestyle again.
Underwood and Sally met unexpectedly before the transplant and eventually had a meeting scheduled months after the operation.
"I think Cameron and his family have inherited from another family and Willy's family," said Rodriguez, adding that "Willy still lives on Cam." Families are now bound by this extraordinary gift "
During Thursday's press conference, Underwood
" I think it's important to share my story, I hope it inspires others to hope and ask for help, "he said.
to NYU Langone Health. Dr. Eduardo D. Rodríguez, who led Cameron Underwood's transplant, is in the center of the front row.
Photo credit: NYU Langone Health
Underwood also publicly expressed gratitude to everyone involved in his transplant and recovery. Through her tears, she thanked Sally and her son Willy.
"I am very grateful to have a facial transplant because it gave me a second chance in life," said Underwood, explaining that he was no longer receiving any glances or questions. inappropriate from strangers.
"Thank you for not allowing me to win," Underwood told his family. "It was not easy, but it was worth it."
Summarizing Underwood's medical odyssey, Rodriguez said: "The life that had been interrupted is at stake again."
