A hospital in eastern China has announced its readiness to compete with France in pioneering human face transplants. Hong Zhijian, the director of Nanjing Medical University Hospital in Jiangsu, told China Daily: “We have been preparing for such transplants since 2003“.
Mr. Hong further mentioned that the hospital is studying five to six candidates to assess their suitability for the transplant and will proceed with the operation when ready. However, he stated that a decision on who will be the first patient for this procedure has not yet been made. “Although many people wish to have a face transplant, not everyone is suitable for this surgery“. Among the factors that need preparation, Mr. Hong pointed out the psychological aspect as well.
Earlier, on October 27 of this year, France announced that it had performed the first face transplant on a 38-year-old female patient who had been bitten by a dog. The injuries were so severe that they not only distorted the patient’s face but also made it difficult for her to eat and speak.
THUY LINH
