D111. Ten year Follow up after Face Transplantation

PURPOSE: The largest coherent cohort of ten face transplantation procedures was successfully performed by our group. This comprehensive study evaluates the long-term outcomes encompassing overall survival, graft retention, complication rates, rejection episodes, therapeutic protocols, sensory recovery, and speech functionality. The long-term assessment of functional outcomes in this distinctive patient population has not previously been undertaken. METHODS: Data was collected between January 2023 - October 2023 with a total follow up period of 2009 - 2023 retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The median follow up was 103.7 months (range 35 - 151 months). One patient was re-transplanted due to chronic rejection, one patient passed away (liver cell carcinoma), and eight patients are currently followed at Yale New Haven Hospital. The triple therapy of Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate Mofetil and Prednisone was the most common maintenance therapy. Between 7 - 39 episodes of acute rejection were detected in each patient over the course of follow up. Complications included infections, reduced kidney function, malignancy and graft loss. Sensory return assessed with WEST-Monofilament revealed 54%-100% in full and 22%-60% of protective sensation in partial face transplant grafts at maximal follow up. At maximal follow up, all participants continue to present with motor speech impairments. CONCLUSION: The long-term outcome reveals promising results in terms of overall survival, graft retention, and functional recovery of face transplantation. While challenges such as complications and rejection episodes persist, our findings underscore the feasibility and potential benefits of this procedure.