Partial face transplant performed at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

By Globe Staff

A team of seven plastic surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital performed a partial face transplant yesterday, which is only the second time such a procedure has been done in the United States, according to the hospital.

The surgery team led by Dr. Bohdan Pomahac worked for 17 hours to replace a man's nose, hard palate, upper lip, facial skin, muscles of facial animation, and the nerves that provide power and sensation, according to a press release issued this morning. The patient wants to remain anonymous, and the hospital did not release his name or age. The tissue graft from the face used in the surgery was obtained through the New England Organ Bank after conversations with the donor's family.

"Advances in transplantation only happen when there are individuals and families who can see past their own tragic circumstances and agree to donation," said Kevin O'Connor, a senior vice president of the organ bank, in the press release. "A gift such as this holds the promise of health and hope for a patient in need, and it was New England Organ Bank's honor to work with such a remarkable donor family.”

A press conference has been scheduled at Brigham and Women’s later today. The speakers will include Pomahac, O'Connor, and Dr. Elof Eriksson, chief of plastic surgery at Brigham. The patient will not attend.

The press release noted that signing up as an organ and tissue donor on a driver’s license is not accepted as consent for face donation. Family consent is required.