A 37-year-old US man injured in a 1997 gun accident has been given a new face, teeth, tongue and jaw in what doctors say is the most extensive face transplant ever performed.
Seven months after a strong contingent of 100 doctors operated on Richard Lee Norris, from Hillsville, Virginia, pictures were released earlier this week showing the results of a 36-hour final surgery performed in March.Norris was injured in a gun accident 15 years ago where he shot himself in the face, ‘CBS News’ reported.He lost his nose, sense of smell and part of his tongue after the accident, and has since undergone multiple life-saving surgeries. Norris was given a new face, teeth, tongue and jaw during the extensive transplant.
As a result, he is now able to feel his face, shave, brush his teeth and is slowly regaining his sense of smell as well as his speech.
‘It’s a surreal experience to look at him. It’s hard not to stare. Before, people used to stare at Richard because he wore a mask, and they wanted to see the deformity; now they have another reason to stare at him, and it’s really amazing,’ said Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, University of Maryland.
Seven months after a strong contingent of 100 doctors operated on Richard Lee Norris, from Hillsville, Virginia, pictures were released earlier this week showing the results of a 36-hour final surgery performed in March.Norris was injured in a gun accident 15 years ago where he shot himself in the face, ‘CBS News’ reported.He lost his nose, sense of smell and part of his tongue after the accident, and has since undergone multiple life-saving surgeries. Norris was given a new face, teeth, tongue and jaw during the extensive transplant.
As a result, he is now able to feel his face, shave, brush his teeth and is slowly regaining his sense of smell as well as his speech.
‘It’s a surreal experience to look at him. It’s hard not to stare. Before, people used to stare at Richard because he wore a mask, and they wanted to see the deformity; now they have another reason to stare at him, and it’s really amazing,’ said Dr Eduardo Rodriguez, University of Maryland.