Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma,New Delhi

India is poised to enter the elite league of nations performing complex face transplants, with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) initiating decisive preparations for the highly advanced reconstructive procedure. The move is being viewed as a potential milestone not only for India but for the wider South Asian region in the field of medical science.


AIIMS preparing for Composite Tissue Allotransplantation (CTA)-based face transplant
150+ member multidisciplinary team being assembled
Surgery expected to last 14–16 hours, involving microvascular and nerve reconstruction
International academic collaboration, including guidance from Indranil Sinha
Could position India as a leading face transplant hub in Asia
What Is Face Transplant and Why It Is Revolutionary?
Face transplantation is an advanced form of Composite Tissue Allotransplantation (CTA), in which part or the entire facial structure from a donor is transplanted to restore both function and identity to a severely disfigured patient.


Potential Benefits:
Restoration of speech, eating and breathing functions
Protection of ocular competence (eye function and closure)
Recovery of facial expressions
Relief from chronic pain
Psychological rehabilitation and improved self-confidence
The procedure regained global attention following recent successful surgeries in Spain, reinforcing its viability as a transformative reconstructive option.


Strong Institutional Foundation at AIIMS
Established in 2021, the Burns and Plastic Surgery Block at AIIMS performs:
Over 250 complex microsurgical reconstructions annually
More than 8,000 total surgeries each year
Comprehensive rehabilitation for acid attack survivors and severe burn victims
This clinical experience provides a robust base for undertaking a procedure as intricate and multidisciplinary as face transplantation.


150-Member Multidisciplinary Team
AIIMS is assembling a team of over 150 specialists, including:
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons
ENT and maxillofacial experts
Anaesthesia and critical care specialists
Immunology and transplant medicine experts
Nephrology and pathology professionals
Psychiatry and rehabilitation teams
Organ transplant coordination unit
The most demanding technical challenge lies in the meticulous joining of nerves and blood vessels under microscopic precision. Lifelong immunosuppression and the risk of graft rejection remain critical considerations.
Global Collaboration and Skill Enhancement
AIIMS has strengthened academic collaboration with international experts. Under the mentorship of Indranil Sinha, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, cadaveric workshops and hands-on training programmes have been conducted to bring Indian surgical expertise at par with leading global centres.


From Historical Legacy to Modern Breakthrough
Modern facial reconstruction traces part of its roots to innovations during World War I, particularly after the 1917 Battle of Jutland. India’s own surgical heritage dates back to ancient times, when Sushruta described rhinoplasty techniques that remain foundational to plastic surgery.
AIIMS’ current initiative represents a contemporary extension of that rich medical legacy.
Strategic Roadmap Ahead
The institute has accelerated work on:
Institutional clinical protocols
Ethics and transplant committee frameworks
Regulatory and licensing compliance
Research and academic expansion

International partnerships
Experts believe the programme could establish India as a leading Asian centre for face transplantation.
A New Identity, A New Beginning
Beyond medical complexity, face transplantation offers a renewed life to patients for whom conventional reconstructive options have failed. If successfully implemented, the initiative could position India at the forefront of global healthcare innovation and reinforce its leadership in advanced medical technology.


The coming months will determine how soon this ambitious programme translates from preparation to a historic surgical reality.