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Listen to Story A US man underwent a successful face transplant at Mayo Clinic which lasted more than 50 hours. A medical team of at least 80 healthcare professionals, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, technicians, assistants and other specialists were involved in the surgery. Derek Pfaff, 30, from Michigan, US, can now blink, swallow, smile and breathe through his nose for the first time after 10 years following his suicide attempt on March 5, 2014.
According to Mayo Clinic, David Pfaff tried to commit suicide during his college years as he was "under a lot of pressure." Despite going through 58 reconstructive facial surgeries in the past years, he was unable to eat solid food or speak properly with his friends and family. Without his nose, he couldn't wear his glasses.
David Pfaff tried to commit suicide during his college years as he was "under a lot of pressure." (Photo: Mayo Clinic) "I lived for a reason. I want to help others," Pfaff said.
"I am so grateful to my donor, his family and my care team at Mayo Clinic for giving me this second chance." In the 19 years since the first face transplant, over 50 such procedures have been performed globally, with encouraging outcomes, as highlighted by a recent study in JAMA Surgery . Mayo Clinic completed its first face transplant in 2016.
HOW WAS THE SURGERY PERFORMED? The face transplant surgery was performed in February 2024 led by Dr. Samir Mardini, a facial reconstructive and facial reanimation surgeon of Mayo Clinic's Reconstructive Transplant Program. During that time, he estimated that 85% of Pfaff's face, including the mandible and maxilla (the bones that make up the upper and lower jaw), was reconstructed and replaced with donor tissue.
This intricate surgery replaced nearly everything below his eyebrows, including eyelids, jawbones, teeth, nose, cheekbones, neck skin, and parts of the palate. Months of detailed planning went into the surgery. The team created a digital surgical plan using scans of both Pfaff’s and the donor’s faces.
This allowed them to perform a "virtual" version of the surgery beforehand. Customised 3D-printed tools were then used to execute the plan during the actual procedure. David Pfaff, 30, underwent a successful face transplant at Mayo Clinic which lasted more than 50 hours.
(Photo: Mayo Clinic) One of the most critical aspects was reconnecting 18 delicate facial nerve branches to ensure Pfaff could regain facial functions. A new microsurgery technique was also used to transplant the donor's tear drainage system, enabling Pfaff to produce and drain tears naturally. The transplant has restored Pfaff's ability to express emotions such as happiness, sadness, and joy.
"Most organ transplants are lifesaving, but a face transplant is life-giving. It allows someone to truly live again," Dr. Mardini explained.
This remarkable surgery was put together in collaboration of multiple medical specialities, including transplant surgery, neurology, ophthalmology, dermatology, and speech therapy, as well as the donor's family. LifeSource, an organ procurement organisation, helped in coordinating the donation process. Pfaff expressed gratitude for the transformative surgery.
"This has changed my life. I feel more confident and hopeful about my future. I dream of meeting someone, starting a family, and continuing to share my story to inspire others," he said.
This successful face transplant represents a medical milestone, giving patients like Pfaff the chance to look forward to the future..
