US hospital performs face transplant

A Boston hospital has performed the US’s second face transplant, medics revealed today.

The recipient was a man who suffered traumatic facial injuries from a fall.

A hospital spokesman said the 17-hour operation took place yesterday at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

A team led by plastic surgeon Dr Bohdan Pomahac replaced the man’s nose, palate, upper lip and some skin, muscles and nerves with those of a dead donor.

The hospital would not identify the donor or the recipient.