The Know-How of Face Transplantation

Maria Z. Siemionow, MD PhD is a plastic reconstructive surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. She led the first US face transplant (and second in the world), the result of which was unveiled to keen media attention in May 2009. She is one of the very few experts on face transplantation in the world.

Section I: Preclinical approaches to face transplantation.- Face as an organ - the functional anatomy of the face.- Immunological aspects of face transplantation (face as CTA, immunosuppression, protocols).- Experimental studies in face transplantation (rodents, swine,primate models).- Cadaver studies in face transplantation (mock transplants, identity transplants).- Section II: Clinical aspects in preparation to face transplantation in humans.- Technical aspects of face transplantation.- Anesthesia and intensive care in face transplantation.- Alternative approaches to face transplantation.- Multidisciplinary approach to face transplantation.- Ethical aspects of face transplantation.- Psychological aspects of face transplanation.- Rehabilitation and physical therapy aspects of face transplantation.- Section III: Approval process of face transplantation in humans.- Institutional review boards approval process.- Informed consent approval process.- Legal aspects of organ and tissue donation - the worldwide differences.- The issue of death and end of life.- Organ procurement organization and approval process.- Section IV: Social and public relations in face transplantation.- Philosophical view on face and face transplantation.- Social aspects of face transplantation.- Financial aspects of face transplantation.- Media related aspects of face transplantation.- Section V: World experience with face transplantation in humans.- French experience with face transplantation.- Chinese experience with face transplantation.- US experience with face transplantation.- British experience with face transplantation.- Section VI: Future directions in face transplantation.- International registry of face transplantation.- Transplantation of functional subunits of face including nose, lips, eyelids, ears and scalp transplantation.- Addressing cultural, religious and philosopical differences in addressing face transplantation.- Computerized modeling and face transplantation.- Tissue engineering and face transplantation.- New immunosuppresive strategies in face transplantation.