The nerves of the donated tissue received by China's first face transplant recipient, Li Guoxing, are alive and active, reports the Xijing Hospital in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

A man who receives a face transplant operation is shown in this photo taken on April 14, 2006. [Xinhua]

A hospital source described both the physical and mental condition of Li as "pretty good."

The hospital showed on Tuesday afternoon a video of the patient. The video, which had been recorded earlier in the day, shows that the sutures on Li's face have been removed and the swelling of his face has gone down.

A nurse brought him eggs and steamed bread, and the patient ate while listening to people chatting. He looked pleased.

Li's smile remains lopsided as the nerves on the right side of his face aren't functioning properly, but the left side of his face appeared to show his happiness.

Li Guoxing, who received China's first face transplant, looks at himself in a mirror as a doctor gives him an optical check in Xijing Hospital in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province April 25, 2006. [Newsphoto]

 

Guo Shuzhong, one of Li's doctors, said the transplants are one hundred percent normal, adding that his speed of recovery is beyond the hospital's expectations.

The patient will not leave his special ward for 30 days to prevent possible infections, said Guo.

Li's face was injured when he was mauled by a bear in 2004.

He was given a new cheek, upper lip, nose, and an eyebrow from a single donor.