Recluse gets new face with transplant

After 15 years of wearing a mask and living as a recluse, a US man who lost his lips, nose and teeth in a gun accident has received the most extensive face transplant to date, according to doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Richard Lee Norris, 37, had undergone several lifesaving and reconstructive surgeries after the accident but had limited use of his mouth and, before the surgery, appeared as though his lower face and nose had been mashed in.

In a 36-hour operation on Mar 19 and 20, doctors at the medical centre carried out “the most extensive full face transplant completed to date, including both jaws, teeth, and tongue,” the centre said.