Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41881554›Full record

ReviewClinical transplantation and research2026

Mortality and graft loss in face transplantation: lessons from two decades of experience.

Bedreddin Sazoglu, Omer Dirican, Zeynep Demir, Naga Anvesh Kodali, Fatma Esra Demir, Ramu Janarthanan, Fatih Zor, Yalcin Kulahci, Vijay S Gorantla

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical transplantation and research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Bedreddin SazogluDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1613-2805
Omer DiricanDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9481-5339
Zeynep DemirDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7856-7650
Naga Anvesh KodaliDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3955-9720
Fatma Esra DemirDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5167-4232
Ramu JanarthananDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7344-5735
Fatih ZorDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5851-0711
Yalcin KulahciDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6836-2732
Vijay S GorantlaDepartment of Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0686-059X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Despite major advances in medicine, defects of the face and extremities caused by burns, trauma, congenital anomalies, or malignancy-related surgery remain a formidable challenge for surgeons. These conditions severely limit patients' quality of life by impairing function, creating disfigurement, and causing psychological distress, social difficulties, and diminished self-esteem. In particular, the loss of motor and sensory function complicates treatment and recovery. Vascularized composite allotransplantation has emerged as a promising option, offering restoration of form and function, although its benefits are accompanied by considerable risks. This review analyzes mortality in all face transplants reported worldwide since the first procedure in 2005, encompassing 51 procedures (including revisions) identified in PubMed/Medline up to September 2025. The findings show that complications related to immunosuppression, such as infection, malignancy, and acute and chronic rejection, as well as patient-related and psychological issues remain major contributors to adverse outcomes, including mortality. Mortality in face transplantation highlights the need for refined immunosuppressive regimens, improved patient selection, and comprehensive multidisciplinary support to optimize long-term survival and quality of life.

Indexed as

Face transplantationGraft rejectionImmunosuppressionMortalityVascularized composite allotransplantation

Identifiers

PMID41881554
PMCPMC13349816

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.