International Registry of Face Transplantation

Abstract

The International Registry on Hand and Composite Tissue Transplantation (IRHCTT) was founded in 2002 and its purpose was to collect detailed information from every case of hand and face transplantation providing a unique opportunity for the teams to share their experiences and to keep abreast of the latest developments. The registry of face transplantation presents some peculiar characteristics as face is considered a complex “organ” constituted of anatomic parts with different functions. In the Registry facial deficits are expressed as “aesthetic units,” adding also the depth of the defect; and in the procedure section, it is not only important to report the transplanted aesthetic units but also to detail all the grafted tissues, vascular anastomoses, nerve repairs, and eventual additional surgical procedures. Immunosuppressive regimen, rejection episodes, side effects, or other complications are fully reported. The evaluation of outcomes is difficult as disfigurement involves different parts of face with loss of various functions. Consequently, it is important to evaluate both aesthetic and functional results, detailing the recovered functions, such as swallowing, eating and drinking, speaking, or opening and closing eyelids. Two items, such as “Psychological and social acceptance” and “Patient satisfaction and general well-being” are also reported as the goal of face transplantation is to allow the patient to have a social life and improved quality of life.