In 2018, Joe DiMeo fell asleep at the wheel. In the resulting accident, he suffered third-degree burns over 80% of his body. He was left without eyelids, ears and fingertips.

But in August of 2021, a team at NYU Langone Health performed a face and double hand transplant on Joe. Was the procedure successful? How has his life changed since the surgery?

On this episode of Dentist Brain Candy, I share two journal articles that piqued my interest this week, beginning with the recent Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery feature on trigeminal neuralgia that describes the symptoms of this long-term facial pain disorder as well as its treatment options.

I go on to discuss the world's first successful face and double hand transplant surgery, explaining what's involved in the patient selection process, why 22-year-old Joe DiMeo was a good candidate for the procedure and how he's doing now.

Listen in for insight into what was involved in the 23-hour face and hand transplant and learn about Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez, the pioneering oral and maxillofacial surgeon who led the surgical team.

Key Takeaways

The symptoms of long-lasting facial pain disorder trigeminal neuralgia

What causes trigeminal neuralgia and how it's triggered

The surgical and non-surgical treatment options for trigeminal neuralgia

How Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez led the world's first successful face and double hand transplant

The team of 140 healthcare professionals who conducted the 23-hour surgery

What made Joe DiMeo a good candidate for the procedure and how he's doing now

A brief history of human face transplants

The patient selection process for face transplant surgery

Connect with Dr. Bryan McLelland

Dentist Brain Candy

Dentist Brain Candy Podcast

Dentist Brain Candy App

Dentist Brain Candy Continuing Education

About Dr. Bryan McLelland

Dr. Jawbreaker on YouTube

Email [email protected]

Resources

Liberty Oral Surgery February Event

Email [email protected]

Nobel Biocare

Ken Parish at Nobel Biocare

Ian McNickle of WEO Media

Jet Virtual Consults

'Trigeminal Neuralgia' in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

NYU's Press Release on the World's First Successful Face and Double Hand Transplant

Photos of Joe DiMeo