For many acid attack survivors and burn victims, the physical scars are only part of the suffering. Years after multiple reconstructive surgeries, many still struggle to step outside with confidence, facing social stigma and emotional trauma because of severe facial deformities. Now, there is renewed hope on the horizon.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS) has announced plans to begin face transplants within the year, marking what could become a historic first for both public and private hospitals in India. The announcement was made by Maneesh Singhal, Head of the Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Burn Surgery at AIIMS, during a packed media briefing at the institute.

He stated that the hospital has the required expertise, infrastructure and multidisciplinary support to undertake the highly complex and life-changing procedure.

Prof. Singhal described the move as a landmark step in advanced reconstructive care. According to him, this initiative is not just about surgical capability but about offering patients a real chance at functional and emotional rehabilitation.

Explaining who may be eligible, Dr Shivangi Shah, Assistant Professor in the Burns and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, said that candidates must be medically fit, emotionally stable and fully committed to long-term follow-up care. Both men and women with severe facial deformities may be considered, provided they are prepared for the physical and psychological demands of the procedure.

Patients will need lifelong immunosuppressant medication to prevent rejection of the transplanted tissues, along with regular medical monitoring and biopsies, particularly in the initial months after surgery. Since these medicines reduce immunity, only otherwise healthy individuals can safely undergo the transplant.

Dr. Shah noted that those who may benefit include acid attack survivors, patients with deep electrical burns that have severely damaged facial tissues, individuals injured in gun violence or major road accidents, and those who have suffered serious facial trauma during conflicts or disasters. Many such patients undergo numerous surgeries over several years, yet remain unable to regain normal facial function or appearance.

The procedure itself is highly intricate and is carried out in two major phases. It begins with a brain-dead donor whose brain has ceased functioning but whose heart continues to beat with medical support. After detailed counselling and consent from the donor’s family, surgeons retrieve the necessary facial components. These may include skin, eyelids, eyelashes, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, nasal structures, soft tissues and, in some cases, facial bones such as the upper and lower jaw.

The transplant then moves to the recipient phase, which is even more delicate. Surgeons use advanced microscopes to connect extremely fine blood vessels and nerves, often thinner than a strand of hair. Muscles, bones and soft tissues are carefully aligned to restore both structure and function. The entire surgery can last anywhere between 18 to 30 hours, reflecting the extraordinary precision required.

After the transplant, patients must continue immunosuppressant therapy, similar to those who undergo liver or kidney transplants. The dosage may be adjusted over time depending on the individual’s immune response and overall recovery. Doctors emphasise that the goal is not merely cosmetic improvement but restoration of vital functions such as blinking, speaking, eating and expressing emotions.

If successfully implemented, the programme at AIIMS could open a new chapter in Indian medical history. For survivors who have endured years of pain, repeated surgeries and social isolation, face transplantation may offer more than medical relief — it could provide a renewed sense of identity, dignity and belonging.