Face Transplant at Cleveland Clinic for Gunshot Victim Was 'Total'

A face transplant at the Cleveland Clinic for a 21-year-old woman disfigured by a gunshot as a teenager was the hospital's third, and its first "total face transplant."

The hospital said the 31-hour surgery in May included the woman's scalp, eyelids, nose, facial muscles and nerves, teeth and much of her jaw, reported The Associated Press.

The clinic isn't sharing names and other details about the patient and donor to protect their privacy.

A hospital statement on Tuesday quoted the recipient as saying recovery has sometimes been difficult but she's thankful for the medical staff and the "incredible gift" from the donor and the donor's family.

Doctors said the transplant will help the woman breathe, speak, chew and express emotions more effectively. They said facial reconstruction alone wouldn't have accomplished that.

• Patrick Hardison's Face Transplant Revealed to the World
• Face Transplant Recipient, Poland's First, Back Home in 11 Weeks