The woman who lost her face.

Date:
2011
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About this work

Description

In 2009, a pet chimpanzee attacked Charla Nash, nearly killing her and leaving her with no nose, lips and skin on her face and only one thumb on one of her two hands. This documentary tells her story and charts her progress following face and hand transplant surgery with accounts from her twin brother and her daughter, Briana. For many years, Charla worked for Sandra, the owner of Travis, a pet chimpanzee. As Travis grew older, he became more aggressive and was being given the medication, Xantac for anxiety. Following the attack plastic surgeons attempted to reconstruct her face as much as possible. After fifteen months, facial surgeon, Dr Alam, attempted unsuccessfully to organise a face and hand transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. However, this did not work out and she transferred to Boston under the care of Bohden Pomahac, Director of Plastic Surgery, at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Two and a half years after the attack, Charla's transplant surgery took place. This was to be the fifth ever facial transplant and the first full face and hand transplant.

Publication/Creation

UK : Five, 2011.

Physical description

1 DVD (60 min.) : sound, color, PAL.

Notes

Broadcast on 27 October, 2011

Copyright note

Peacock Productions for Channel 5.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    5036D

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