Youngest Face Transplant In US Could Help Injured Personnel

Katie Stubblefield after her full face transplant (Picture: Cleveland Clinic).

An American 21-year-old woman has become the youngest person in the US to receive a face transplant after she attempted suicide by shooting herself in the face when she was 18.

It is hoped her surgery will help improve treatment for service members who are wounded in battle and come back with similar injuries.

In March 2014, Katie Stubblefield was suffering from depression which was caused by several medical issues.

She attempted suicide by shooting herself with her brother's rifle.

Miss Stubblefield, now 22, underwent over 20 different operations to try and repair the damage to her face. The bullet tore through her forehead, nose, sinuses, jaw bones and badly damaged her eyes.

The Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio, America performed the 31-hour procedure and said they replaced 100% of her facial tissue. 

Miss Stubberfield's surgery was paid for by the US Department of Defense through the armed forces institute of regenerative medicine, in an effort to improve treatment for service members who are wounded.

The transplant, performed in May 2017, aims to restore Katie's face structure and functions - which include chewing, breathing and swallowing -- some of the functions that were lost because of the injury.

Despite the success of the transplant, Katie’s journey is far from over. She currently remains unable to see.

Dr Frank Papay, Chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Institute, and the Co-Director of Katie's surgery, said:

“Plastic surgery is about restoring form and function.

“Function comes before form, and prior to the face transplant, Katie had extremely poor function and form.”

A face transplant was the only option to truly transform her life and three years after arriving at the clinic a donor became available.

Katie eventually wants to be able to go to college, have a family of her own and a career. 

She wants to truly help people as much as she can with her story and for people to be able to see how precious life is.

From the UK you can call the Samaritans on 116123, or from the US the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Test Line by texting HOME to 741741.