Former US fireman gets a new face; most extensive face transplant ever

A firefighter whose face was burned off while trying to rescue someone has been given a new face.
Patrick Hardison, 41, was badly injured when the roof of the burning building collapsed on top of him in 2001 and he lost his eyelids, ears, lips, most of his nose, hair and eyebrows.


Ever since he has suffered the effects of the horrendous burns, never able to close his eyes completely because the lids were destroyed.

After more than a year waiting for someone with the right blood type as well as fair skin and light hair, he finally found a donor in 26-year-old David Rodebaugh, a bike mechanic who died in a cycling accident this summer.

Patrick Hardison before the incident, with his two daughters in 1999

 

Today a New York medical centre said it had performed the most complex and comprehensive face transplant to date.
More than 100 doctors, nurses, technical and support staff took part in the 26-hour operation, which took place in mid-August at the NYU Langone Medical Center after a year of preparation.

 

The surgery has given Patrick a new face, scalp, ears, ear canals, and selected portions of bone from the chin, cheeks, and nose. He also has new eyelids and muscles that control blinking, meaning he is now able to close his eyes.
He was referred to lead surgeon Eduardo Rodriquez after more than 70 previous surgeries.