Doctors in New York have successfully performed the world's first face and double hand transplant on a 22-year-old man who suffered severe burns in a car crash. Joe DiMeo underwent the 23-hour surgery last August, involving a team of over 140 healthcare workers.
DiMeo sustained third-degree burns over 80% of his body in a 2018 accident when he fell asleep at the wheel and his car burst into flames. He lost his lips, eyelids, and fingertips, and underwent more than 20 reconstructive surgeries with limited success.
Eduardo Rodriguez, director of the Face Transplant Program at NYU Langone, said the aim was to improve DiMeo's appearance and function, particularly with the hands. DiMeo spent 45 days in intensive care and two months in hospital learning to open his eyelids and use his new hands.
Two previous attempts at face and double hand transplants were unsuccessful, with one patient dying and the other having their hands removed. Doctors waited to confirm no rejection occurred before declaring success.
DiMeo, who now does up to five hours of rehabilitation daily, described the transplant as a 'second chance at life'. He expressed gratitude to the donor's family, saying, 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime gift.'
