Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound as a Consideration in the Patient Selection Process for Facial Transplantation

Facial transplantation is emerging as a therapeutic option for self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The self-inflicted nature of this injury raises questions about the appropriate role of self-harm in determining patient eligibility. Potential candidates for facial transplantation undergo extensive psycho...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Mcquinn, Michelle W. (Author) ; Kimberly, Laura L. (Author) ; Parent, Brendan (Author) ; Diaz-Siso, J. Rodrigo (Author) ; Caplan, Arthur L. (Author) ; Blitz, Aileen G. (Author) ; Rodriguez, Eduardo D. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge Univ. Press 2019
In: Cambridge quarterly of healthcare ethics
Year: 2019, Volume: 28, Issue: 3, Pages: 450-462
Further subjects:B patient selection
B facial transplantation
B transplant outcomes
B self-inflicted gunshot wound
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Summary:Facial transplantation is emerging as a therapeutic option for self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The self-inflicted nature of this injury raises questions about the appropriate role of self-harm in determining patient eligibility. Potential candidates for facial transplantation undergo extensive psychosocial screening. The presence of a self-inflicted gunshot wound warrants special attention to ensure that a patient is prepared to undergo a demanding procedure that poses significant risk, as well as stringent lifelong management. Herein, we explore the ethics of considering mechanism of injury in the patient selection process, referring to the precedent set forth in solid organ transplantation. We also consider the available evidence regarding outcomes of individuals transplanted for self-inflicted mechanisms of injury in both solid organ and facial transplantation. We conclude that while the presence of a self-inflicted gunshot wound is significant in the overall evaluation of the candidate, it does not on its own warrant exclusion from consideration for a facial transplantation.
ISSN:1469-2147
Contains:Enthalten in: Cambridge quarterly of healthcare ethics
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1017/S0963180119000379