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Kimberly LL, Onuh OC, Thys E, Rodriguez ED. Social support criteria in vascularized composite allotransplantation versus solid organ transplantation: Should the same ethical considerations apply? Front Psychol 2022; 13:1055503. [PMID: 36483709 PMCID: PMC9723137 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1055503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is evolving, with some procedures poised to transition from highly experimental research toward standard of care. At present, the use of social support as an eligibility criterion for VCA candidacy is at the discretion of individual VCA programs, allowing VCA teams to consider the unique needs of each potential candidate. Yet this flexibility also creates potential for bias during the evaluation process which may disproportionately impact members of certain communities where social configurations may not resemble the model considered "optimal." We examine the extent to which ethical considerations for social support in solid organ transplantation (SOT) may be applied to or adapted for VCA, and the ethically meaningful ways in which VCA procedures differ from SOT. We conclude that VCA programs must retain some flexibility in determining criteria for candidacy at present; however, considerations of equity will become more pressing as VCA procedures evolve toward standard of care, and further empirical evidence will be needed to demonstrate the association between social support and post-operative success. The field of VCA has an opportunity to proactively address considerations of equity and justice and incorporate fair, inclusive practices into this innovative area of transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L. Kimberly
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Medical Ethics, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ogechukwu C. Onuh
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Erika Thys
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Eduardo D. Rodriguez
- Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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A Multisystemic Approach to Psychosocial Evaluations of Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Candidates. CURRENT TRANSPLANTATION REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40472-020-00293-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Are We Prepared for the Inevitable? A Survey on Defining and Managing Failure in Face Transplantation. PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2019; 7:e2055. [PMID: 31333919 PMCID: PMC6571297 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000002055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Facial transplantation (FT) experience has grown but success in this innovative and complex field has yet to be defined. The purpose of this study is to determine attitudes regarding the failures in FT and the appropriate management of these failures. Methods: An anonymous, 20-question survey elicited opinions regarding FT failure management. This survey was administered to attendees of 2 FT-focused national meetings. Demographics included sex, age, and personal/institutional FT experience. Attitudes related to FT recipient education, definition of FT failure, and management of complications were gathered. Results: Eighty of 271 attendees completed the survey (29.5%). Respondents were predominantly male (81.3%) and 50 years of age or younger (80.5%). Thirty-eight percentage previously performed an FT and 53.8% were a part of an institution with a vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA)-related Institutional Review Board (IRB). Respondents almost unanimously agreed it was “absolutely essential” to discuss possibility of FT failure (93.8%), mortality (91.1%), and treatment for chronic rejection (78.8%). However, uncertainty of failure rate existed, with 56.4% citing failure rate as unknown, 25.6% citing <25% and 18.0% citing >25%. 51.2% of those with direct FT experience lacked clear criteria for defining FT success or an institutional protocol for managing chronic rejection. 78.8% believed failed FT patients should be considered for retransplantation, but only about 25% cited functional concerns or esthetic dissatisfaction as appropriate indications. Conclusion: There is a lack of consensus regarding definition of FT failure and rates mortality amongst experts. Even institutions with FT experience lack protocols for managing chronic rejection. Expert consensus and institutional regulations surrounding these issues are warranted.
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OPTN Vascularized Composite Allograft Waiting List: Current Status and Trends in the United States. Transplantation 2019; 102:1885-1890. [PMID: 29781949 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascularized composite allograft (VCA) transplantation is a developing area in the field of transplantation. METHODS This study used Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) VCA waiting list and transplant data from July 3, 2014 through February 28, 2018, to characterize the OPTN VCA waiting list in terms of composition, removal patterns, waiting time, resulting transplants, and trends over time. RESULTS Between implementation of the OPTN VCA waiting list on July 3, 2014 and February 28, 2018, 54 candidates-53.7% were male, 79.6% were white, and 70.4% aged 18 to 44 years-were added to the OPTN VCA waiting list. Of these, 22 received deceased donor VCA transplants (6 bilateral upper limb, 4 unilateral upper limb, 5 craniofacial, 1 scalp, 1 abdominal wall, 1 penile, and 4 uterine), and 6 received living donor uterine transplants. Registrations increased in 2016 after uterine and penile transplants were introduced in the United States, resulting in a large shift in the composition of the VCA waiting list. Waiting times for VCA candidates vary greatly, with some VCA candidates receiving deceased donor transplants quickly and others waiting more than 3 years before transplantation. CONCLUSIONS The field of VCA transplantation and the composition of the OPTN VCA waiting list are evolving rapidly. Additional research is needed to understand these changes and investigate whether differences in need or differences in access have resulted in the variation seen on the VCA waiting list.
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Cherikh WS, Cendales LC, Wholley CL, Wainright J, Gorantla VS, Klassen DK, McDiarmid SV, Scott Levin L. Vascularized composite allotransplantation in the United States: A descriptive analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Data. Am J Transplant 2019; 19:865-875. [PMID: 30091824 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
On July 3, 2014, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing was charged with the oversight of vascularized composite allograft (VCA) procurement and transplantation in the United States. As of December 31, 2017, 61 VCA programs at 27 centers were approved in the United States. Fifty candidates have been added to the waiting list at 15 centers. Twenty-eight VCA transplants have been performed at 14 programs (10 upper limb, 10 uterus, 5 craniofacial, 1 scalp, 1 abdominal wall, and 1 penile). Twenty-two VCAs were procured from 21 deceased donors, resulting in 109 non-VCA organs transplanted (15 hearts, 3 intestine, 40 kidney, 20 livers, 24 lungs, and 7 pancreata). Six uterus transplants were performed from living donors. Fourteen candidates were still waiting at 9 centers on December 31, 2017. Two of the 10 uterus recipients had live births and 3 still had viable grafts. Seventeen of 18 nonuterus recipients had functioning grafts. At present, VCA is an emerging field with a small number of patients transplanted. Data on posttransplant survival and functional outcomes continue to be collected to further the understanding of this complex and evolving field. Further systematic data are important for policy refinement and assurance of patient safety.
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Wainright JL, Wholley CL, Rosendale J, Cherikh WS, Di Battista D, Klassen DK. VCA Deceased Donors in the United States. Transplantation 2018; 103:990-997. [PMID: 30234789 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascularized composite allograft (VCA) transplants include diverse organ types and are made possible primarily by deceased donors. METHODS We used Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data to characterize VCA deceased donors (n = 66 of 70) in the United States from 1998 to 2017 and compare their characteristics with those of kidney donors in 2017. RESULTS Through December 31, 2017, 20 transplant programs performed 72 deceased-donor VCA transplants, with organs donated by 70 donors, including 30 upper limb (17 unilateral and 13 bilateral) and 11 face donors. Other donors donated both upper limbs and face (n = 2), uterus (n = 4), abdominal wall (n = 19), larynx (n = 2), penis (n = 1), and scalp (n = 1). About a third of VCA donors were female, and the majority (86.4%) were white. Almost half (45.5%) were between the ages 18 and 34 years. Smaller proportions were younger than 18 years (19.7%), 35 to 44 years (15.2%), 45 to 54 years (13.6%), and older than 55 years (6.1%). Median body mass index for all VCA donors was 24.9 and varied widely, especially for upper limb and face donors. There was considerable variation in Kidney Donor Profile Index among VCA donors (median, 27.5; interquartile range, 11-59). Donor causes of death included head trauma (39.4%), cerebrovascular/stroke (25.8%), and anoxia (31.8%). VCA donors also donated solid organs that were transplanted, including 87.1% of kidneys, 93.9% of livers, 40.2% of lungs, and 56.1% of hearts. CONCLUSIONS donors are a demographically and clinically diverse group. Understanding this diversity and future trends in VCA donor characteristics is critical in supporting this life-changing field of transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Rosendale
- Research Department, United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, VA
| | - Wida S Cherikh
- Research Department, United Network for Organ Sharing, Richmond, VA
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Affiliation(s)
- William Lineaweaver
- JMS Burn and Reconstruction Center, Merit Central Hospital, Jackson, MS, USA
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Tiftikcioglu YO, Erenoglu CM, Lineaweaver WC, Zhang F. Perioperative management of penile transplantation. Microsurgery 2016; 36:271-5. [DOI: 10.1002/micr.30031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yigit O. Tiftikcioglu
- Department of Plastic; Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Ege University; Izmir Turkey
| | - Cagil M. Erenoglu
- Department of Plastic; Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Ege University; Izmir Turkey
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Radu CA, Kiefer J, Gebhard MM, Bigdeli AK, Schmidt VJ, Germann G, Lehnhardt M, Terness P, Kneser U, Kremer T. Local administration of Mitomycin-C-Treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) prolongs allograft survival in vascularized composite allotransplantation. Microsurgery 2015; 36:417-425. [DOI: 10.1002/micr.30003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Revised: 08/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Andreas Radu
- Department of Hand- Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery; Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic- and Hand Surgery-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
| | - Jurij Kiefer
- Department of Hand- Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery; Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic- and Hand Surgery-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
| | - Martha Maria Gebhard
- Department of Experimental Surgery; University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
| | - Amir Khosrow Bigdeli
- Department of Hand- Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery; Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic- and Hand Surgery-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
| | - Volker Jürgen Schmidt
- Department of Hand- Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery; Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic- and Hand Surgery-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
| | - Guenter Germann
- Department of Hand- Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery, Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Aesthetic and Preventive Medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital; Ethianum Heidelberg Germany
| | - Marcus Lehnhardt
- Department of Plastic Surgery; Burn Center, Sarcoma Reference Center, BG-University Hospital Bergmannsheil; Bochum Germany
| | - Peter Terness
- Department of Transplant Immunology; Institute for Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
| | - Ulrich Kneser
- Department of Hand- Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery; Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic- and Hand Surgery-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
| | - Thomas Kremer
- Department of Hand- Plastic- and Reconstructive Surgery; Burn Center, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Plastic- and Hand Surgery-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg; Germany
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Zhu H, Xie F, Luo X, Qin L, Sherry Liu X, Scott Levin L, Li Q. Orthotopic forelimb allotransplantation in the rat model. Microsurgery 2015; 36:672-675. [PMID: 26566967 DOI: 10.1002/micr.22530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In this report, we present a rat orthotopic forelimb allotransplantation model. Eight forelimbs were transplanted from Brown Norway rats to Lewis rats. Axillary vessels of transplant were used as the vascular pedicles, which were anastomosed to the external jugular vein and common carotid artery of the recipient rat. The ulnar, radial, and median nerves were also repaired. Among rats, a tapered dose of cyclosporine was administered in five rats. In other three rats, no immunosuppressive therapy was given. The viability and signs of rejection of transplanted forelimbs, sensation recovery, bone healing, and histology were assessed up to the 90th postoperative day. All of rats but one survived surgery. All of transplanted forelimbs survived. In the rats treated with cyclosporine the transplanted forelimbs achieved long-term survival with motion and sensation recovery. On 90th day after surgery, bone healing was achieved. There was no sign of rejection in histology. In the rats without cyclosporine treatment, the transplanted forelimbs experienced tissue necrosis started from day 12 postoperatively. This experimental study showed the feasibility of orthotopic forelimb allotransplantation in the rat model. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:672-675, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hainan Zhu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Xie
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xusong Luo
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Qin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - X Sherry Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lawrence Scott Levin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Zhu H, Xie F, Sheng L, Yu Q, Li Q. Rat model of heterotopic toe allotransplantation. J Surg Res 2015; 199:707-17. [PMID: 26081004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2015.02.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finger allotransplantation is a promising treatment for severe finger destruction. However, more research is required to decrease the risks of this procedure to a level at which the clinical use of this non-life-saving procedure is justified. A proper animal model is essential for the required experiments. METHODS In this article, we established a toe transplantation model based on anatomic studies. A tapered dose of Cyclosporine A (CsA) was used as an immunosuppressive therapy in the Brown Norway-to-Lewis allotransplantation experimental group, whereas isotransplantation or allotransplantation without treatment or with ligated pedicles was performed on the control groups. Recipients were assessed daily after operation for any signs of rejection and complications. On postoperative day 90, skin graft test was used to test the level of donor-specific tolerance in the recipients. On postoperative day 120, x-rays and micro-computed tomographies were performed for bone morphology evaluation. The chimerism in the recipient peripheral blood, lymph node, spleen, and thymus was tested by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining. And histologic study of the toe grafts and skin grafts were carried out. RESULTS The blood supply of the toe graft was confirmed, and accordingly, transplantations were performed. The isografts survived indefinitely. The allografts with ligated pedicles experienced necrosis within 5 d. The allografts without treatment exhibited necrosis within 14 d. Forty percent, 20%, and 40% of the allografts associated with the CsA treatment experienced severe rejection, mild rejection, and nonrejection, according to gross graft appearance, respectively. Skin grafting tests showed three different types of results. X-rays and micro-computed tomographies reveal nearly normal bone morphologies in the bone structures of all surviving animals with grafts. Low levels of donor-specific chimerism were detected in the peripheral blood samples. Spleen, lymph node, and thymus chimerism were also confirmed in the long-term surviving animals with allografts. Histologic evaluation of the long-term survivals revealed similar graft morphologies in the isografts and the nonrejected allografts, inflammatory cell infiltration in the mildly rejected allografts, and degraded cutaneous appendages in the severely rejected allografts. CONCLUSIONS We established a toe allotransplantation model. Moreover, the low rate of chimerism did not introduce specific tolerance, which might explain the high rejection rate. This model might facilitate future research in finger allotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hainan Zhu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Feng Xie
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Lingling Sheng
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Qingxiong Yu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.
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Zor F, Karagoz H, Erdemir AT, Karslioglu Y, Acikel CH, Kapaj R, Guzey S, Gurel MS, Isik S, Siemionow M. Reflectance confocal microscopy as a useful diagnostic tool for monitoring of skin containing vascularized composite allograft rejection: A preliminary study on rats. Microsurgery 2015; 36:144-51. [DOI: 10.1002/micr.22419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Zor
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Gulhane Military Medical Academy; Ankara Turkey
| | - Huseyin Karagoz
- Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Istanbul Turkey
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; University of Illinois, College of Medicine; Chicago IL
| | - Asli Turgut Erdemir
- Department of Dermatology; Istanbul Training and Research Hospital; Istanbul Turkey
| | | | - Cengiz Han Acikel
- Department of Biostatistics and FAVOR Laboratories; Gulhane Military Medical Academy; Ankara Turkey
| | - Rezarta Kapaj
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Gulhane Military Medical Academy; Ankara Turkey
| | - Serbulent Guzey
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Gulhane Military Medical Academy; Ankara Turkey
| | - Mehmet Salih Gurel
- Department of Dermatology; Istanbul Training and Research Hospital; Istanbul Turkey
| | - Selcuk Isik
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Gulhane Military Medical Academy; Ankara Turkey
| | - Maria Siemionow
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; University of Illinois, College of Medicine; Chicago IL
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Ramirez AE, Lao WW, Wang YL, Cheng HY, Wei FC. Two-stage face transplantation: a new concept in vascularized composite allotransplantation. Microsurgery 2014; 35:218-26. [PMID: 25333774 DOI: 10.1002/micr.22338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal models and clinical cases of facial allotransplantation have been performed as a single stage procedure. A staged surgery might offer some advantages in selected cases. In this study, a two-stage face transplantation approach was performed on rat and the feasibility and safety were evaluated. METHODS Brown Norway rats were used as donors and Lewis rats as recipients in the allotransplantation groups. A total of 33 hemiface-scalp transplantations were performed. Syngeneic orthotopic transplantations were performed either in one-stage (one single stage surgery; N = 3), local two-stage [heterothopic transplantation to the neck during the first stage and graft rotation as a pedicled flap to cover the facial defect on postoperative day (POD) 2; N = 3], or distant two-stage approaches (heterothopic transplantation to the groin during the first stage and free graft transfer to the face on postoperative day 2; N = 3). In the allotransplantation groups using the same approaches, 12 received no treatment (N = 4 each subgroup) and 12 received the same tapering dose of cyclosporine (10 to 2 mg/Kg/day; N = 4 each subgroup). Graft survival and the rejection grades were assessed clinically and pathologically. RESULTS All syngeneic transplants survived for the follow-up period of 180 days. The mean rejection-free survival and total survival of the allograft in the no treatment group was 6 ± 0.3 and 14.3 ± 4.5 days in the one-stage group, 6 ± 0.4 and 18.5 ± 1 days in the local two-stage group and 6 ± 0.2 and 14.3 ± 5.7 (P > 0.05). All allografts in the treatment groups did not develop rejection during the 42 days follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible, reliable, reproducible, and safe to perform a two-stage face transplantation in rats. This novel approach has the potential to be applied in research and eventually in selected clinical cases of facial allotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro E Ramirez
- Former Microsurgery Fellow, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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