A Donegal teenager who was born without a jaw will undergo a 10-hour operation in the United States today.
Alan Doherty (18) is to undergo the third in a series of procedures that will rebuild his face.
Mr Doherty was born with a rare condition called otofacial syndrome and has had to breathe through a tube inserted in his throat at an early age.
He underwent the first operation in June last year under world-renowned specialist Dr Eliot Rose at Mount Sinai hospital in Manhattan. Mr Doherty had a second operation in October.
He has been told by surgeons that today's operation may see them remove parts of bone from his right hip and shoulder to help build his new jaw.
The operations, the first of their kind to be performed on a person suffering from otofacial syndrome, are being paid for by a fund organised by the Physically Challenged Irish and American Youth Team.
If today's operation is succesful, it may only take one more operation in a few months.