Horizon Season 2006 Episode 15 The Worlds First Face Transplant

In the Horizon season 2006 episode 15 titled "The World's First Face Transplant," the show takes a detailed and intimate look at the groundbreaking medical procedure of face transplantation. The episode follows the journey of Isabelle Dinoire, a victim of a vicious dog attack, who underwent the world's first successful partial face transplant in 2005.

The episode starts by introducing Isabelle and her traumatic experience of being mauled by a dog. The attack left her with severe facial injuries that made it impossible for her to lead a normal life. The show then goes on to introduce the medical team responsible for performing the face transplant, including Dr. Jean-Michel Dubernard, a renowned French surgeon who was at the forefront of the procedure.

The episode then details the complex and risky surgery itself. Using state-of-the-art surgical techniques, a team of surgeons led by Dr. Dubernard spent over 15 hours carefully removing the donor's face and transplanting it onto Isabelle's face. The show delves into the complicated process of matching the donor's face with Isabelle's, including finding a donor whose physical features closely matched hers.

Throughout the episode, the show explores the ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding face transplantation - including the concept of identity and the psychological impact of undergoing such a drastic surgery. The show features interviews with experts in the field, who discuss the struggles faced by both patients and their families before, during, and after the transplant.

Perhaps the most poignant moments of the episode come from Isabelle herself. The episode features interviews with her prior to the surgery, where she expresses her fears and hopes for the procedure. After the surgery, the episode follows her in her journey to recovery - from the initial moments of seeing her new face in a mirror to the months of physical therapy and psychological counseling that follow.

Overall, "The World's First Face Transplant" is a fascinating and emotional episode that sheds light on a revolutionary medical procedure that has the potential to change the lives of those who are severely disfigured. From the complex surgical techniques to the ethical questions surrounding the procedure, this episode explores all aspects of the world's first successful face transplant.