First human tongue transplant
The world's first human tongue transplant has been successfully carried out by doctors in Austria.
Surgeons at Vienna's General Hospital carried out the 14-hour operation on a 42-year-old patient on Saturday. The patient had a malignant tumour in his mouth that meant his tongue had to be removed. The patient is doing well, confirmed the doctors at a press conference on Tuesday.
Rolf Ewers, who lead the team, says he hopes that with his new tongue the patient should be able to talk and eat as normal. However, his sense of taste is unlikely to be restored...
New Scientist 22 July 03
