Psychological Outcomes in Face Transplant Recipients: A Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To synthesize findings regarding the psychological outcomes of face transplantation.

Recent Findings

Thirty-seven face transplants have been done since the world's debutant case was featured in 2005. In spite of impressive clinical success, little has been achieved to date in terms of understanding the mental health, quality of life, and psychosocial outcomes of face transplant recipients.

Summary

We conducted a literature search in PubMed for studies reporting any psychosocial measure in face transplant recipients, between 2005 and 2017. We identified 20 articles: 11 articles reported qualitative evaluation of outcomes, and nine articles used quantitative measures. Recipients were generally satisfied with the aesthetic result of the procedure, succeeded in integrating the new face into their sense of self within the first few weeks to months post-transplant, and experienced a major and lasting improvement in social integration for years after the transplant. We recommend a systematic reporting of detailed psychosocial evaluations through the use of validated measures administered at regular intervals, to allow for the emergence of a population-level assessment of the psychosocial outcomes of face transplantation.

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