Volunteer Firefighter Receives The World's Most Extensive Face Transplant Ever

November 18, 2015

After a 41 year-old volunteer firefighter was severely injured on duty, a deceased 26 year-old cyclist gave him his life back.

face transplant
Before and After / Credit: NYU Langone Medical Center

Patrick Hardison, 41, of Senatobia, MS, was injured in September 2001 when the roof of a burning home collapsed on him during a rescue search. The accident left him with disfiguring burns across his entire face, head, neck, and upper torso.

Hardison lost his eyelids, ears, lips and most of his nose, as well as his hair. His skin was so badly damaged that he was not even able to close his eyes completely.

face transplant
Image credits: NYU Langone Medical Center

On Aug. 15, a team of more than 100 doctors, nurses and technical assistants at New York University's Langone Medical Center carried out the world's most extensive face transplant, with the medical school's dean Robert Grossman calling the operation "a major milestone and [a] critically important contribution to the advancement of science and medicine."

face transplant
Image credits: NYU Langone Medical Center