Also known as: Face injury
David Young suffered severe facial trauma 12 years prior from being hit by a drunk driver, resulting in loss of nose and lips. He undergoes the hospital's first face transplant surgery, which is the central surgical case of the episode and drives multiple storylines about appearance, friendship, and medical ethics.
Also known as: Skin cancer that has spread
Izzie has stage four metastatic melanoma that has spread to her brain, liver, and skin. She is resisting treatment despite having only months to live. This diagnosis becomes a major reveal at the end of the episode and sets up a significant character arc.
Also known as: Hernia in groin
An elderly patient scheduled for hernia repair surgery as Cristina Yang's first solo surgery. The case is used to explore Cristina's emotional state and her distraction with Izzie's situation.