The Military Relevance of Face Composite Tissue Allotransplantation and Regenerative Medicine Research

Abstract

Maxillofacial battle injuries created the need for plastic and maxillofacial reconstructive surgery during World War I (WWI). Devastating maxillofacial injuries challenged the surgical professions to provide form and function to the defects inflicted by penetrating trauma on the battlefield. Local, regional, and distant flap transfers were developed to treat maxillofacial battle injuries in WWI and while still valued procedures, multiple surgical steps, donor site morbidity and limited esthetic-functional outcomes are often the result. During the 1980s, the advent of microsurgery added an invaluable tool to the reconstructive surgeons’ armamentarium. However, despite significant technical advances, the results following major traumatic war injuries are less than satisfactory, both esthetically and functionally. Facial allotransplantation may offer an invaluable alternative to traditional reconstructive options.