Virginia man undergoes full face transplant

Richard Norris lost his lips, nose and the front of his tongue in a gun accident 15 years ago.

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March 27, 2012

Eduardo D. Rodriguez, chief of plastic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center, explains the procedure performed on Richard Lee Norris, pictured at left, the most extensive full face transplant completed to date, during a news conference at the center in Baltimore.

Gail Burton / AP

March 27, 2012

Richard Norris, left, on his prom day; center, after the accident but before the transplant surgery; and right, post-surgery, in this combination of photos released by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Surgeons there detailed what they said was the world's most comprehensive face transplant, allowing the 37-year-old Virginia man to emerge from behind a mask 15 years after a gun accident that almost took his life. Norris, of Hillsville, Va., was shot in the face in 1997 and lost his nose, lips and most movement in his mouth. Since that time, he has had multiple life-saving and reconstructive surgeries, but none could repair him to the extent where he felt he could return to society. He wore a prosthetic nose and a mask even when entering the hospital for the transplant.

/ Reuters

March 27, 2012

Vice President of Medical Affairs and Dean E. Albert Reece speaks during a news conference at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The 36-hour operation took place at the University of Maryland Medical Center and involved a multi-disciplinary team of faculty physicians from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Patrick Smith / Reuters

March 27,2012

Eduardo D. Rodriguez, at the podium, chief of plastic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and his team, from left, Branko Bojovic, Michael Christy, Daniel Bousuk, partially blocked, and A.H. Dorafshar, explain the face transplant performed on Richard Norris during a news conference at the center.

Gail Burton / AP

March 27,2012

Plastic surgery chief Eduardo D. Rodriguez shows before and after pictures of patient Richard Norris during a news conference at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

Patrick Smith / Reuters

March 27,2012

Eduardo D. Rodriguez, chief of plastic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center, explains the procedure. University of Maryland Medical Center officials announced Tuesday that Richard Norris is recovering well after last week's surgery and is already brushing his teeth and shaving.

Gail Burton / AP

March 27,2012

Francis X. Kelly, professor of trauma surgery, speaks during a news conference on the face transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Patrick Smith / Reuters

March 27,2012

Plastic surgery chief Eduardo D. Rodriguez, center, waits to speak before the news conference at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Patrick Smith / Reuters

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