Dr. Maria Siemionow of the Cleveland Clinic is planning to undertake what may be the most shocking medical procedure to occur in decades: a face transplant.

Her team has managed to induce long-term tolerance to hind-leg transplants with a drug regimen lasting only seven days. If similar results can be achieved in humans (many previous efforts along these lines have failed), the advance will alter the calculus behind transplantations, making them feasible for a much greater number of patients, including those with facial disfigurements.