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Face transplant. Computer artwork of a donor face for transplantation. It consists of skin, blood vessels and muscles removed from a dead person's face. The patient will have their face removed and this one attached. The operation requires advanced microsurgical techniques to connect the numerous muscles, blood vessels and nerves to allow control and use of the new face. The technique could help those whose faces have been disfigured by disease or accidents such as burns. Problems include the possible rejection of the new facial tissue by the patient's immune system, and psychiatric problems. As of November 2003, several surgical teams are preparing to perform the first face transplant. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CHRISTIAN DARKIN)