PARIS: The French woman who underwent the world's first partial face transplant has recovered so well that people do not notice her scars, her doctor has said.

Isabelle Dinoire, from Amiens, underwent the procedure a year ago after being mauled by her dog.

The BBC reported yesterday that her surgeon, Bernard Devauchelle, said she continued to make excellent progress and has told him she could smile and felt she looked like herself again.

Professor Devauchelle told the Agence France-Presse news agency:

"When she is in a crowd, she doesn't stick out as 'the transplant patient', and this is important. You still see scars, of course. From time to time, there are minor inflammations which occur near wires that lie deep beneath the skin.

"But, elsewhere, the scar lines have almost completely faded. If she puts on a little bit of make-up, she looks fine."

Her facial sensitivity is restored and Ms Dinoire is able to eat, drink and smoke. The 38-year-old had lost her nose, lips and chin in the attack.

She told The Sun newspaper she has bought a new dog to replace the labrador that attacked her and had to be put down.