Barcelona’s Vall d’Hebron Hospital Performs World’s First Face Transplant from a Euthanasia Donor
Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona has successfully completed the world’s first face transplant from a donor who had undergone euthanasia. The surgery took place in September 2025, and the patient is currently recovering well, gradually regaining facial functions and her daily life. This case represents an innovative advancement in the field of organ donation.
Patient’s Condition and Surgical Process
In 2024, the patient, Carme, developed a streptococcal infection from an insect bite, leading to severe sepsis and extensive facial necrosis, which affected her ability to eat, breathe, and speak. After long-term treatment, the hospital proposed a face transplant in December 2024. The surgery lasted over 24 hours and involved more than 100 medical professionals. The transplant included skin, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, fatty tissue, bone, and cartilage. The medical team utilized microvascular nerve surgery techniques and, for the first time, used 3D-printed models of both the recipient and the donor simultaneously as cutting guides to ensure a precise match.
Donor’s Wish and Coordination Process
The donor was a middle-aged woman who had requested euthanasia due to a severe illness. During the coordination process, she clearly expressed her wish to donate all her organs and tissues, including her face. The hospital’s transplant coordinator noted that the donor showed great generosity during the interview, hoping to help more people. By law, complete anonymity is maintained between the donor and recipient, with no direct contact. Because the euthanasia procedure allows for advance planning, surgical preparations were more thorough.
Patient’s Recovery and Functional Improvement
Post-surgery, patient Carme’s recovery has been progressing smoothly. She reports that she can now speak clearly, has started eating, and can go out for coffee without being self-conscious in public. She is currently undergoing rehabilitation to recover facial expressions and the ability to smile. The head of the medical team, Joan Pere Barret, emphasized that the core of a face transplant is to restore function and sensation, not merely to provide a cosmetic covering. It is projected that the patient will achieve a more comprehensive recovery by September 2026.
Hospital’s Experience and Global Significance
Vall d’Hebron Hospital has been a pioneer in the field of face transplantation since 2010, when it performed the world’s first full-face transplant. This latest surgery is the 55th face transplant globally and the first from a euthanasia donor. The hospital has extensive experience in organ donation and complex reconstructive surgeries, and this breakthrough further expands the potential sources for donation.
