Joe Di Meo s Face and Double Hand Transplant Journey

A 22yearold from New Jersey has received the worlds first successful face and double hand transplant at NYU Langone Health. In July 2018, Joe DiMeo survived a horrific car crash that left him with thirddegree burns covering over 80 percent of his body. Despite undergoing approximately 20 reconstructive surgeries, DiMeo had extensive injuries on his face and hands that affected his vision and severely limited his ability to live a functional and independent life. On August 12, 2020, a team of more than 140 health care professionals was led by Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, DDS, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, chair of the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone, to complete the historic procedure. DiMeo is Dr. Rodriguezs fourth face transplant patient, but this is the first hand transplant under Dr. Rodriguezs direction. Advanced surgical planning and treatment plans for Dr. Rodriguezs transplant recipients have resulted in some of the best aesthetic,