AAFPRS Honors Professor Benoit Lengele

LAS VEGAS, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Professor Benoit Lengele, MD, member of the surgical team and professor of anatomy and reconstructive microsurgery at the Catholic University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium spoke before nearly 1,000 surgeons at the 9th International Symposium of Facial Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas about his journey to perform the first-ever face transplant. Professor Lengele highlighted his patient's major central facial disfigurement and discussed her facial reconstruction. His discussion incorporated not only surgical indications but also the complex philosophical, psychological and ethical considerations.

The AAFPRS is exceptionally pleased to have someone possessing such surgical skill and high moral character as Professor Lengele join the organization as an honorary Fellow of the Academy.

Dr. Peter Adamson, Symposium Chairman, commented that his fellow facial plastic surgeons were extremely impressed with the holistic and humane approach exhibited by Professor Lengele and his team in successfully completing this highly complex procedure.

"The 9th International Program Committee has spanned the globe to provide attendees with the most comprehensive cutting-edge experience in Facial Plastic Surgery," says Ira Papel, MD, FACS, president of the AAFPRS. "In today's ever-changing world, it is increasingly difficult to keep abreast of new and exciting developments; however, Professor Lengele's presentation exemplified the innovation and international scope of the meeting.

About AAFPRS

The AAFPRS is the world's largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons with more than 2,800 members -- whose cosmetic reconstructive surgery focuses on the face, head and neck. Academy fellows are board-certified and subscribe to a code of ethics. In addition, the AAFPRS provides consumers with free information and brochures and a list of qualified facial plastic surgeons in their area by calling 1-800-332-FACE or by visiting the AAFPRS Web site, http://www.facemd.org/.