China's first face transplant recipient smiles
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-04-26 10:54
The nerves of the donated tissue received by China's first face transplant
recipient, Li Guoxing, are alive and active, reports the Xijing Hospital in
northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
A man who receives a
face transplant operation is shown in this photo taken on April 14, 2006.
[Xinhua] |
A hospital source described both the physical and mental condition of Li as
"pretty good."
The hospital showed on Tuesday afternoon a video of the patient. The video,
which had been recorded earlier in the day, shows that the sutures on Li's face
have been removed and the swelling of his face has gone down.
A nurse brought him eggs and steamed bread, and the patient ate while
listening to people chatting. He looked pleased.
Li's smile remains lopsided as the nerves on the right side of his face
aren't functioning properly, but the left side of his face appeared to show his
happiness.
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Li Guoxing, who
received China's first face transplant, looks at himself in a mirror as a
doctor gives him an optical check in Xijing Hospital in Xi'an,
capital of Shaanxi Province April 25, 2006. [Newsphoto]
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Guo Shuzhong, one of Li's doctors, said the transplants are one hundred
percent normal, adding that his speed of recovery is beyond the hospital's
expectations.
The patient will not leave his special ward for 30 days to prevent possible
infections, said Guo.
Li's face was injured when he was mauled by a bear in 2004.
He was given a new cheek, upper lip, nose, and an eyebrow from a single
donor.
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