Doctors unveil details of pioneering face transplant

The director of a hospital that conducted the world’s first partial face transplant today said the surgery was required because the recipient’s case was exceptional.

“We are in an exceptional situation that required an exceptional response,” said Philippe Domy, director general of the Amiens hospital, at a press conference on the groundbreaking French operation that has set off a debate among scientists over ethics.

The first post-surgery words of a woman who underwent the world's first partial face transplant were "Thank you," one of her doctors said today.

Bernard DeVauchelle said the patient regained consciousness 24 hours after the groundbreaking operation.

The director of the hospital that conducted the transplant, meanwhile, said the surgery was required because the recipient’s case was exceptional.