A Step Forward for Medicine: The World’s First Face and Hands Transplant, February 3 2021

Joe DiMeo was covered in third degree burns and suffered many injuries after falling asleep at the wheel of his car in 2018. Although he survived, he lost much of his bodily function. In the crash, DiMeo lost his eyelids, both of his ears, and many of his fingers. Even 20 reconstructive surgeries wouldn’t be enough for DiMeo to return to normal life. So, they started to think bigger, and doctors looked into transplantations. There was about a 6% chance of finding a donor match for Joe’s immune system, and even less of a chance when they factored in gender, skin tone, and dominant hand.

This procedure was a highly complicated surgery and had only been attempted twice before. On each hand, they had to “replace 21 tendons, three major nerves, five major vessels, two major bones,” lead surgeon Eduardo Rodriguez said. They then had to remove his face and place small plates to attach the new one. Two operating rooms and 80 total doctors were needed to perform the 23 hour surgery. Following the surgery, DiMeo had to endure several weeks of intensive care and rehab.

DiMeo’s quality of life drastically improved because of the surgery. Prosthetics simply wouldn’t have the same effect that a hand transplant would have, and a face is such an important part of someone’s identity. This advancement will revolutionize the medical world and is a huge step forward for transplantations.

Sources: (Check these out to see pictures as well!)

(www.dw.com), Deutsche Welle. “Joe DiMeo: Unprecedented Transplant 'a Second Chance at

Life'.” DW.COM, Feb. 2021,

www.dw.com/en/joe-dimeo-unprecedented-transplant-a-second-chance-at-life/a-56464641.

Simko-Bednarski, Evan. “World's First Face and Hands Transplant Gives New Jersey Man a

Second Chance at Life.” CNN, Cable News Network, 3 Feb. 2021,

www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/us/face-and-double-hand-transplant/index.html.