Psychological and Psychiatric Evaluation

Abstract

The psychological and psychiatric evaluation of all candidates for face transplantation focuses on the identification of any risk factors that may have a direct impact in the development of postoperative complications or problems with self-adaptation and treatment compliance. Strong medical evidence demonstrates that the adaptation to posttransplant life, treatment adhesion and morbidity are directly related to specific psychosocial factors. In general terms, a detailed psychosocial evaluation of all patients is necessary before they are included in a transplant waiting list. Given the experimental nature of vascularised composite tissue allotransplantation, the psychosocial evaluation is mandatory. This is a formal requirement of the face transplant protocol and ethics committee. A negative psychosocial evaluation contraindicates VCA.