Maurice Desjardins, a Canadian man, became the world’s oldest person to undergo a face transplant at 65. In 2011, a hunting accident left him with severe facial disfigurement, causing nerve, muscle, and bone damage. Despite five reconstructive surgeries, he still struggled to eat, breathe, and smell properly.
In May 2018, a team of nine surgeons and 100 medical staff at Montreal’s Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont performed a groundbreaking 30-hour operation. They transplanted a deceased donor’s face onto Desjardins, removing his own face while preserving his eyes, upper eyelids, and forehead. The procedure restored his ability to chew, swallow, and smile, significantly improving his quality of life.

Desjardins now takes immunosuppressant medications to prevent organ rejection. His case marks a significant milestone in medical science, demonstrating the potential of face transplants to transform lives.