The 10-year survival rate of the first 50 face transplants between 2005 and 2021 was found to be 74%
The transplants were performed across 18 centers in 11 countries. The 50 face transplants were completed in 48 patients. The cohort, predominantly male (81%), had a median age of 35 years and a median follow-up of 8.9 years. Published in JAMA Surgery, 5-year and 10-year graft survival rates of 85% and 74% were reported, respectively.
Six transplants were lost, with two patients successfully undergoing retransplantation. Ten patients died during the follow-up, including two who had previously lost their grafts. The median number of acute rejection episodes per year was 1.2 for lost transplants and 0.7 for surviving transplants. No association was found between patient or transplant variables and either transplant survival or the number of rejection episodes.
Survival rates did not differ significantly between high- and low-volume centers. In low-volume centers, the 5-year survival rate was 80%, and the 10-year survival rate was also 80%. In high-volume centers, the 5-year survival rate was 88%, while the 10-year survival rate was 72%. The sequential number of transplants performed globally was found to be a significant predictor of survival (hazard ratio 0.95), suggesting a relationship between increasing experience and improved outcomes.
No significant correlation was observed between transplant survival and patient or transplant variables, such as age, graft composition, or number of rejection episodes.
Full disclosures can be found in the published study.