A hospital in Spain has made a major medical breakthrough by performing the world’s first face transplant using tissues from a doctor who had received medical assistance in dying. The procedure was successfully performed by a team of approximately 100 health professionals, opening new avenues for complex transplants and reconstructive surgery.
The operation was successfully performed at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona on a patient who had suffered extensive facial soft tissue injuries that affected essential functions including breathing, eating and speaking.
The donor had previously given consent to donate organs and tissues after the medically assisted death procedure. This recent advance in the medical field aims to prepare teams with an exceptional level of detail, ranging from precise matching and careful preparation of facial tissues prior to transplantation.
Undoubtedly, the operation followed a series of lengthy preparations, as it involved a complex transplantation of skin, muscle and bone structure. The generosity of the donor and her family was central to making these incredible medical advances possible.
