140 medical staff who performed miracles with young Americans saved their faces and their hands melted in fire [영상]

Before and after accident photos of Joe Dimeo, 22, a man from New Jersey, USA, who achieved the world’s first simultaneous facial and both hands transplant. [뉴욕대 랭곤 메디컬센터]

A young man in his twenties who “melted” his face and fingers from the burn can now laugh again. The world’s first surgery to implant both hands and face at the same time was a success.

The main character is Joe Dimeo (22), a man from New Jersey in the United States. According to Reuters and CNN, he was exploded by a car on Route 22 in New Jersey in July 2018. I was on my way back from my night shift. I blinked while driving and the vehicle flipped over. The car caught fire immediately.

Fortunately, Dimeo saved his life. This is because the pedestrians removed him from the vehicle before the explosion occurred. However, he suffered a third degree burn all over his body. And my eyelids, ears and fingers melted. I have been in a coma for over 3 months. I finally found consciousness, but my eyes were stuck, I couldn’t use my hands, and I couldn’t make any expressions.

In August of last year, two years after the incident, he underwent 23 hours of surgery at New York University Medical Center. Half a year later, the medical staff concluded that the operation was successful and informed the world about this on the 3rd. He has not yet managed to transplant both his face and both hands at the same time, but it was the first case.

Dr. Eduardo Rodríguez, who led the surgery, said: “Simultaneous transplantation has been tried twice before, but both have failed.” Medical staff said that the patient’s strong will to recover was a factor leading to the success of the surgery.

140 medical personnel consisting of six teams were put into operation. Dimeo underwent a transplant operation between two adjacent operating rooms. It was a major surgery to replace 21 tendons, 3 major nerves, 5 major blood vessels, and 2 major bones.

Joe Dimeo (22), who achieved the world’s first simultaneous facial and both hands transplant, is recovering after surgery. [뉴욕대 랭곤 메디컬센터]

After the surgery, Dimeo is practicing how to lift her eyelids, move her hands, and smile. He said, “I have a second chance at life” and said, “It would have been impossible without donor help.”

He was particularly pleased that the hand that had been swallowed up by the flames had reappeared. As before, it will take time to use it freely, but I promised, “I will continue to move and practice as if I have returned to my baby when I have a new hand.”

Finally, he said, “There is always light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you never give up.”

Joe Dimeo (22) performs rehabilitation exercises after a successful transplant.[AP=연합뉴스]

Reporter Jeong Eun-hye [email protected]