Vascularized composite allotransplantation in the United States: A retrospective analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data after 5 years of the Final Rule

Am J Transplant. 2021 Jan;21(1):291-296. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16086. Epub 2020 Jun 28.

Abstract

On July 3, 2014, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) began overseeing vascularized composite allotransplantation/allografts (VCA) in the United States. For the past 6 years, centers performing VCAs have been requested to submit data into a biometric repository, in parallel with systems used by solid organ transplant centers. Currently, 62 VCAs are reported in the entire OPTN database, with 36 of these transplants reported as performed after VCA was added to the OPTN Final Rule. Of these 36 recipients, 16 received uterus transplants, most of which (11) occurred from living donors. Ten patients received hand transplants and 6 received face transplants. Two patients received abdominal wall transplants, 1 patient received a scalp transplant, and 1 patient received a penile transplant. The present manuscript represents the query of a nationalized database for VCA type, immunosuppression treatment, and clinical outcomes for VCAs. This manuscript provides a report of the current VCA data reported to the OPTN after the Final Rule.

Keywords: Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN); United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS); clinical research; health services and outcomes research; immunosuppressive regimens; vascularized composite allotransplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Composite Tissue Allografts*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Living Donors
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement*
  • United States
  • Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation*