BALTIMORE — A Virginia man who received a full-face transplant seven months ago eats primarily by mouth and can taste and smell, The University of Maryland Medical Center says.
Richard Lee Norris, 37, of Hillsville, Va., received the transplant in a 36-hour surgery in March. It included the replacement of both jaws, teeth, tongue, and skin and underlying nerve and muscle tissue from scalp to neck.
Norris, who was injured in a gun accident in 1997, spends his time fishing and golfing, the university said. Norris is regaining his speech and can smile and show expression, he was quoted as saying.
The transplant was led by Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and chief of plastic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery at Shock Trauma.
