Face and hand transplants: a bold new trial for devastating injuries
NCT ID NCT04057638
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether transplanting a face and hands together can help people with severe injuries that standard surgery and prosthetics cannot fix. Ten adults aged 18-64 will receive the transplant and be monitored for changes in function and appearance using tests like EMG, MRI, and photography. The goal is to see if this complex procedure can restore movement and a more natural look, though lifelong immune-suppressing drugs are needed to prevent rejection.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Combined face and hand transplant (composite tissue allograft)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new option for people with severe facial and hand injuries to regain movement and a more normal appearance.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small trial with only 10 participants. Transplants carry risks like rejection, infection, and the need for lifelong immune-suppressing drugs, which have serious side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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NYU Langone Health
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10017, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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