Patrick Hardison receives full face transplant

The following could almost be defined as 'pure magic'!

Thanks to excellent professionals who rely on high technology.

Plastic surgeon Dr Eduardo Rodriguez led the team that performed the 26-hour surgery to give injured volunteer firefighter Patrick Hardison a new face.

It was in August, at New York University’s Langone Medical Center. The team performed the transplant for 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, a retired fireman from Mississippi who suffered disfiguring injuries when a burning roof collapsed on him, melting his mask, in 2001.

He needed a match who had his skin colour, hair colour, blood type and skeletal structure.

The donor was a 26-year-old, David Rodebaugh, who was fatally injured in a cycling accident.

The transplant extends from the top of the head, over Mr Hardison's skull and down to the collarbones - and includes both ears.

The ground-breaking surgery has also restored his vision and Mr Harrison has ambitious plans to start driving again.

The brave firefighter endured 71 surgeries - but his unusual appearance scared even his own children.

The impact of the accident put a huge strain on his relationship with his wife and after ten years of marriage the pair divorced.

10/01/2001

Disclaimer: This is a nonprofit blog. My objective, as a young girl born in 1999, is just to share my passion for Medicine by giving the world some information about the latest tendencies in this field. Please click on the links below to obtain a more detailed information about the articles I have used as a source.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34831206

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/nov/16/firefighter-receives-full-face-transplant-historic-surgery

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/619947/Patrick-Hardison-fireman-burned-in-blaze-extensive-face-transplant-Dr-Eduardo-Rodriguez