The First Woman in the US to Receive a Full Face Transplant... Dies After 12 Years

Infectious Complications as the Cause

▲Conicalfr [Source=CNN screen capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A woman who received the most extensive facial transplant in the United States has died after 12 years. This marks the longest survival period among facial transplant patients, and it is reported that she died from complications unrelated to the surgery.

According to CNN on the 1st (local time), Connie Culp, 57, who underwent facial transplant surgery at Cleveland Hospital in 2008, passed away due to complications.

Cleveland Hospital stated, "Culp has survived longer than any other patient who has received a facial transplant," and added, "She was an incredibly brave and lively woman who inspired others."

A mother of two, Culp suffered severe injuries in 2004 when she lost most of the central part of her face due to a gunshot wound from her husband. Following this, she became visually impaired, lost her sense of smell, was unable to speak, and had a device surgically implanted in her throat to barely breathe.

In 2008, she received a facial transplant from a deceased donor, undergoing a 22-hour surgery. This major operation involved connecting facial tissues, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, and Culp was the first case in the United States to receive a full facial transplant.

It is known that the medical team's goal was to restore basic bodily functions rather than cosmetic appearance.

In 2010, Culp met the family of the woman who donated the face.

At that time, in an interview with CNN, Culp expressed, "I am happy now that I can smell," and added, "Now I can eat not only steak but all kinds of hard foods."

Meanwhile, Culp also worked as an organ donation advocate, sharing her experience.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.