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Superbug Kills Face, Hand Transplant Patient

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 16, 2009 2:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – A French man who received a groundbreaking face and double hand transplant to repair damage from severe burns has died from a massive infection, reports the Independent. The patient, 30, suffered a heart attack during surgery to battle a super bug invasion in his face. Despite the problem, his body did not reject the transplants, said doctors. He was the sixth person in the world to receive a face transplant. One other died in China after ceasing drugs to fight rejection of transplanted organs.

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French surgeons Laurent Lantieri and Christian Dumontier. (Getty)

Connie Culp underwent the first face transplant surgery in the US to repair damage from a gunshot wound. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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He was so badly maimed and disfigured that he could only be treated by transplant surgery. All tests show that there was no rejection and no vascular problem. - French surgeon Laurent Lantieri

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COMMENTS

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luluzz

Jun 16, 2009 8:28 AM CDT

I pray the new face will be safe for Connie. Becoming a freak to the regular world suddenly is devastating. Connie is strong enough to bring light to the plight of people who are severely injured and end up having society freaked out or stunned by her new looks. These people who are hit with such severe trauma and live through it need to be held in esteem in our society not stared and laughed at.

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World • Health

medicine • medical breakthrough • France • face transplant • burn victim • hand transplant • Laurent Lantieri

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