Face replacement ‘ethically unsound’

DOCTORS who gave a French woman the world’s first partial face transplant have been accused of ignoring ethical advice by not trying normal reconstructive surgery first.

Senior surgeon Dr Laurent Lantieri also said he was concerned the patient may not be fit psychologically for the operation and its demands.

The 38-year-old woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, had surgery to replace her nose, lips and chin in Amiens in northern France on Sunday. The donor was a brain-dead patient whose family gave their consent.