Face transplant trial shows promise for severe facial injuries
NCT ID NCT05117190
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This completed study tested facial transplantation in 3 people with severe facial deformities from trauma. The procedure involved transplanting a donor face to improve appearance and quality of life. Participants were followed to measure facial function and overall well-being.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Facial allotransplantation (surgical procedure to transplant a donor face)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a way to restore facial function and appearance for people with severe facial injuries.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage study with only 3 participants. The procedure carries major risks, including rejection and lifelong need for immunosuppressive drugs.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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3 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2014
- Finished
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Mar 2021
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Between ages 18-70 years * Must be willing to undergo major facial reconstruction * Be able to understand the pre and post-transplantation evaluation, physical therapy, and follow up procedures * Conventional reconstruction deemed unsatisfactory Exclusion Criteria: * Medically unable to provide consent * Active infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus, mycobacteria, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C * Recent history of alcohol or IV drug or chemical dependency * Psychiatric evaluation that indicate mental instability or non-compliance * Cognitively impaired and Terminally ill * Women of child bearing age with intent to conceive, pregnant or lactating * Unable to receive immunosuppression after transplantation because of either geographic or financial limitations * End stage organ disease (renal failure, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), etc.) * Chronic infections such as osteomyelitis
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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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Methodist Health System
Dallas, Texas, 75203, United States