Second face transplant in Poland 'a success'

Professsor Adam Maciejewski speaks with journalists at the Oncology Centre in Gliwice. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel

The operation on the 26-year-old patient was carried out on 4 December at the Oncology Centre in Gliwice, southern Poland, and the surgery lasted 23 hours.

“The patient feels well,” confirmed Professor Adam Maciejewski at a press conference at the centre on Thursday, as cited by the TVN news channel.

“Her condition, as is normal in such cases, is tough, but she is stable and improving at the rate that we had expected,” he added.

Photo: PAP

The 26-year-old, who was referred to only as Joanna, had been suffering from the rare tumour disorder Neurofibromatosis type I, for most of her life.

In recent years, her condition had deteriorated with tumours on her face so extensive that she had difficulty eating and talking.

“Until now I have never encountered such an extensive and destructive disease covering the face and neck,” Maciejewski said.

Joanna's mother told reporters that her daughter is currently communicating by using her fingers to make the signs of letters of the alphabet, and that her messages “are full of optimism.”

Photo: PAP

A long period of rehabilitation lies ahead for Joanna.

The first full face transplant in Poland was carried out at the same clinic in May.

The patient had suffered a horrendous accident at work, while using a stone-cutting machine. (nh)