All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has launched India’s first face transplant programme, marking a major advance in the nation’s capabilities for plastic and reconstructive surgery. The institute is preparing to carry out the country’s first face transplant, with hopes of performing the surgery within one year, once all regulatory approvals are in place.
The main goal of the face transplant programme is to help patients who have severe facial deformities and who have not found enough relief from traditional reconstructive surgeries. These deformities can be the result of acid attacks, gunshot wounds, burns, or other major injuries. Unlike ordinary plastic surgery done for cosmetic improvement, face transplants aim to restore important functions such as speech, eating, breathing, and facial expressions, which are often impossible to fully recover using conventional methods. Patients with these injuries may also face social isolation and stigma, so the procedure also offers hope for emotional and psychological recovery.
The selection process for candidates is very strict. Only people who are medically stable and motivated to undergo such a life-changing procedure are considered. Those with active infections, serious illnesses, or cancer are not eligible. Dr. Maneesh Singhal, who leads the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Burns Surgery at AIIMS, stated that face transplantation is now seen as a crucial medical need for those patients who do not have other options, rather than an experimental surgery.
Face transplant surgery is highly complex and can last up to 16 hours. The surgical team must carefully reconnect blood vessels and nerves to make sure the new face has blood flow and can regain function. After the operation, patients must take medicine for the rest of their lives to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new tissue. AIIMS has built the infrastructure needed to manage this lifelong care, including immunosuppression protocols and regular monitoring. Dr. Dipankar Bhowmick, head of nephrology, expressed confidence in AIIMS’ ability to support patients through this journey.
One of the toughest challenges in face transplantation is finding a suitable donor. The donor and recipient need to match in sex and skin tone, and the donor’s family must give permission for the procedure very soon after brain death is declared. Secure ethical approvals and fast coordination are necessary for the transplant to move ahead. The program brings together experts from plastic surgery, nephrology, psychiatry, anesthesia, and rehabilitation. Psychological support and counseling are part of the care offered, to help patients adjust to the emotional demands of both surgery and their new life after the procedure.
AIIMS has also received praise from international experts, including Dr. Indranil Sinha from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who noted the high standard of skill and infrastructure at the New Delhi facility. With over 8,000 burns and plastic surgery procedures carried out each year, the institute is experienced in handling severe trauma and deformity cases. The launch of this programme places India among the small number of nations worldwide capable of performing face transplants, giving new hope to patients seeking to regain their identity and dignity.
