Carmen received the life-altering gift from a woman who had requested euthanasia (Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
A woman has undergone complex facial transplant surgery after contracting a bacterial infection from an insect bite whilst holidaying in the Canary Islands. The patient, identified only as Carmen, received the groundbreaking partial transplant from a donor who had requested euthanasia, with the remarkable procedure carried out at Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona.
During a press conference, the medical team’s coordinators explained that the exceptional circumstances enabled them to plan and employ advanced techniques, including 3D software, which would ordinarily have been unfeasible.
Carmen recounted how her face became disfigured after she developed a bacterial infection and sepsis following a mosquito bite whilst on holiday in the Canary Islands. She said: « The bacteria made me want to disappear from this world. I was in three different ICUs, and when I came out, necrosis-tissue degeneration due to cell death-had eaten away half my face.
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Carmen described how her face became disfigured after she suffered an insect bite (Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
« I couldn’t eat because I couldn’t open my mouth. Half my nose was missing, and I couldn’t breathe properly either. Physically, it was quite unpleasant, and I couldn’t live my life. »
Carmen underwent the operation last year and is currently receiving physiotherapy in a bid to restore her facial functions, as well as those associated with the face, with hopes of being « completely well, fantastic » within twelve months.
In further uplifting remarks about her recovery, Carmen shared that she was starting to eat again, converse, enjoy coffee, no longer minds « going out », and can « live a normal life ».
Carmen, who didn’t meet her donor (in accordance with Spanish law), also told reporters that she had « regained a quality of life » she « never imagined » she would experience again.
Carmen said she had « regained a quality of life » that she « never imagined » that she would see again (Image: David Zorrakino/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Joan-Pere Barret, the head of the plastic surgery and burns unit at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, stated: « We were able to sit down with the engineers and, using software models, we were able to plan the best options for reconstructing and adapting the bone structures to achieve the best possible function, up to the maximum match. »
Dr Barret also highlighted that this type of procedure is « considered very complex », and there are « few worldwide » (reportedly just 54), pointing out that a transplant that « cannot feel or move » is « nothing more than a mask ».
He added: « Face transplantation is not just about placing soft tissue to achieve a normal appearance. It is done to provide function and sensitivity.
« A face transplant that cannot feel or move is nothing more than a mask. These are three-dimensional structures with muscles and tissue that must be connected, often with a diameter of less than a millimetre. »
Regarding the donor, Dr Barret revealed that upon requesting euthanasia, she conveyed a wish to donate not only her organs but also her face, displaying « great happiness » upon learning this was possible.
He also spoke of the « tremendous emotional magnitude » of the occasion, remarking that he « never imagined » he would witness a « moment like this », but felt « fortunate enough to do so ».
Altogether, an extraordinary 100 hospital professionals, from psychiatrists to plastic surgeons, took part in the transplant, according to Notícias.
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