First Chinese face transplant patient

A combination photograph shows a man before and after his operation when he received a face transplant, in Xian, Shaanzi province.



The man, surnamed Li, suffered severe injuries from a bear attack in 2004. Li underwent the operation at a Xi'an hospital with help from a voluntary organization. The operation, which was successful, started on April 13 and lasted 13 hours, the hospital said. Li will continue his restoration operation after returning from home. It is the first successful face transplant operation in China, China Daily reported. The picture on the left is taken on April 13, 2006 and the picture on the right is taken on July 28, 2006.