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Abstract
Facial transplantation is a major advance in reconstructive surgery, providing enormous potential benefit in terms of improved function and cosmesis. Managing the challenges it brings depends on understanding both technical and psychological issues. Research on the psychological aspects of organ transplantation is a starting point; however, issues of altered appearance and identity, adjustment to change, the management of suboptimal adherence to immunosuppression, and how we present and understand risk, particularly related to immunosuppression and rejection, must all be addressed before the procedure becomes a clinical option. This review addresses the psychological issues highlighted in the Royal College of Surgeons Working Party Report on facial transplantation, describing how these have been addressed in the development of a clinical program.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
