Doctors in New York have performed the world’s first successful face and double hand transplant. Last August, 22-year-old Joe Dimeo spent 23 hours in the operating room with a team of 140 medical professionals.
In 2018, Diméo was driving home after a night shift and fell asleep at the wheel. His car crashed and caught fire. As a result, the American suffered third-degree burns over nearly 80% of his body. He had to have the tips of his fingers amputated and lost his lips and eyelids. Joe spent four months in the burn unit, part of that time in a medically induced coma. Dimeo underwent more than 20 plastic surgeries, but it was not possible to fully restore the motor skills of his hands and face.
In 2019, the patient was referred to NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, where he underwent a hand and face transplant a year later. “Gifts like this only happen once in a lifetime,” Joe said. “I hope it brings some relief to the [donor’s] family to know that a part of him continues to live in me. My parents and I are very grateful to have been given this second chance. “
“Our surgery was not just about improving his appearance. We wanted everything to work perfectly for him, especially his hands,” said Eduardo Rodriguez, director of the face transplant program. After surgery, Joe Dimeo spent 45 days in intensive care and another two months in the hospital. He had to learn how to open his eyelids and use his new hands. He is now able to exercise independently and perform daily tasks such as cooking breakfast. Dr. Rodriguez says Joe DiMeo, who spends about five hours a day in physical therapy, is the “most determined patient” he has ever worked with. “He wants to exercise, he loves golf, and he wants to start playing again. I continue to be amazed at the amount of weight he can lift and the strength of his grip,” the doctor said.
This is the first surgery in which doctors have successfully transplanted both the face and hands. In the past, medical professionals have made two similar attempts, but both ended in failure. One patient died from complications, and the other had to have his new hands amputated because they did not survive. This time, the doctors wanted to make sure that Joe Dimeo’s body would not reject the transplanted organs before they announced the success of the operation.