BACKGROUND: Face transplantation may become a viable alternative in the treatment of patients with severe acquired facial deformity. In this study, the authors investigate morphological compatibility between donor and recipient by assessing chimeric outcomes in a human cadaver model. METHODS: Four faces were harvested from fresh human cadaver specimens in a surgical plane deep to the galea, to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, and to the platysma. The faces were subsequently exchanged among the four donor crania, simulating full-face transplantations. Eight cranium-face chimera complexes were created and analyzed with standardized photography and with volumetric computed tomographic radiography. RESULTS: Four morphological parameters to consider in determining donor/recipient compatibility were defined: (1) skin color and texture, (2) head size, (3) soft-tissue features, and (4) gender. CONCLUSION: Careful selection of face donors based on compatibility criteria will aid in ensuring that the posttransplant outcome is morphologically similar to the recipient's native face.
BACKGROUND: Face transplantation may become a viable alternative in the treatment of patients with severe acquired facial deformity. In this study, the authors investigate morphological compatibility between donor and recipient by assessing chimeric outcomes in a human cadaver model. METHODS: Four faces were harvested from fresh human cadaver specimens in a surgical plane deep to the galea, to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, and to the platysma. The faces were subsequently exchanged among the four donor crania, simulating full-face transplantations. Eight cranium-face chimera complexes were created and analyzed with standardized photography and with volumetric computed tomographic radiography. RESULTS: Four morphological parameters to consider in determining donor/recipient compatibility were defined: (1) skin color and texture, (2) head size, (3) soft-tissue features, and (4) gender. CONCLUSION: Careful selection of face donors based on compatibility criteria will aid in ensuring that the posttransplant outcome is morphologically similar to the recipient's native face.
Authors: Edward H Davidson; Eric W Wang; Jenny Y Yu; Juan C Fernandez-Miranda; Dawn J Wang; Yang Li; Maxine Miller; Wesley N Sivak; Debra Bourne; Hongkun Wang; Mario G Solari; Joel S Schuman; Kia M Washington Journal: J Craniofac Surg Date: 2016-10 Impact factor: 1.046
Authors: Joseph S Wallins; Akash A Chandawarkar; Allison Dobry; J Rodrigo Diaz-Siso; Ericka M Bueno; Edward J Caterson; Camille Jania; Nathanael D Hevelone; Stuart R Lipsitz; Srinivasan Mukundan; Bohdan Pomahac Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2015-06-05