World's First Partial Face Transplant Completed

Isabelle Dinoire is the recipient of the world’s first partial face transplant. She decided to go along with the procedure after a doctor suggested the idea because seven months earlier she had been attacked by her Labrador. The attack caused severe deformity to her face. The doctors informed her of all the risks that were involved in this unprecedented operation but she immediately agreed to have the surgery performed. Isabelle Dinoire speaks out about how before the surgery people would stare but now “they look at her normally.”

This procedure involves a long recovery involving both patience and therapy. Isabelle still has trouble opening and closing her mouth and saying letters that involve pursing lips (ex. B, P). The doctors expect improvement over time. Physical therapy is a must for Isabelle. Isabelle must also take medication to keep her body from rejecting the donated tissue.

With the first partial face transplant complete it paves the way for more transplants to be completed. But the doctors who performed Isabelle’s surgery said that they weren’t even sure how long the transplanted tissue would stay alive.

With all new medical discoveries come risks and unknowns. In Isabelle’s case she put so much on the line based on the opinions and ambitions of a few doctors. Obviously many of her ‘costs’ are the potential physical affects that may present themselves in the future and the possibility that she may never fully recover (not to forget the monetary costs as well). Without any other cases to compare her too, the doctors aren’t sure of how her body will react in the future and if she will ever fully recover. Did the benefits of avoiding a few stares really outweigh her costs?

Do you think that Isabelle Dinoire made the right decision on embarking down this unknown path?