Review of Current Facial Allotransplantation and Future Aspects

Seo, Mi Hyun; Lee, Jung A; Oh, Jin Sil; Kim, Soung Min; Myoung, Hoon; Lee, Jong Ho

Abstract

Advances in immunosuppressive treatments and microsurgical techniques have rendered composite tissues allotransplantation (CTA), such as heteregeneous or non-organ tissues, possible in humans. CTA has evolved dramatically since the first successful rat hind limb allotransplantation. Numerous clinical applications including face, hand, trachea, larynx, and vascularized joint have been performed. Although composite tissue allografts are still in their infancy, they have opened a new era in the field of transplantation surgery and pathology, so that maxillofacial reconstructive surgeons may occasionally be faced with the challenge of diagnosing skin refection of a composite tissue allograft. Facial allotransplantation (FAT) is a new surgical technique that could be considered as a new paradigm in facial reconstruction. Since the first human FAT had been achieved in 2005, 17 cases have been reported in the world up to date. However, many problems such as life-long immunosuppression, immune rejection, ethical problems and psychological problems are remained, so facial CTA is new reconstructive option with no general acceptance. The authors reviewed the indications, the results of 17 cases and their complications, and additional consideration factors in this article, and intended to raise the awareness of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in this type of facial transplantation.