Michigan Man Undergoes Mayo Clinic's 2nd Face Transplant

Derek Pfaff, a 30-year-old Michigan man, underwent a successful face transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, nearly a decade after a self-inflicted gunshot wound from a suicide attempt left his face severely disfigured. The complex operation, which took place in February and lasted over 50 hours, involved an 80-person medical team led by Dr. Samir Mardini. This transformative procedure has restored Pfaff's ability to blink, smile, and breathe normally, functions he had lost for ten years despite undergoing 58 prior reconstructive surgeries. Pfaff now advocates for suicide prevention, sharing his story to inspire others to seek help and highlighting the life-changing impact of the transplant, which replaced about 85% of his face. This is Mayo Clinic's second face transplant, the first occurring in 2016. Pfaff expresses gratitude to his donor, their family, and his medical team, viewing his survival and recovery as a second chance to help others.