The current outcomes and future challenges in pediatric vascularized composite allotransplantation.

The current outcomes and future challenges in pediatric vascularized composite allotransplantation. Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2020 Oct 09;: Authors: Azoury SC, Lin I, Amaral S, Chang B, Levin LS Abstract PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review the outcomes and future challenges associated with pediatric vascularized composite allotransplantation, including follow-up data from our bilateral pediatric hand-forearm transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS: In 2015, the first heterologous pediatric upper extremity hand-forearm transplant was performed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and in 2019, the first pediatric neck reconstructive transplantation was performed in Poland. The 5-year follow-up of the pediatric upper extremity recipient demonstrates similar growth rates bilaterally, an increase in bone age parallel to chronologic age, and perhaps similar overall growth to nontransplant norms. The pediatric upper extremity recipient continues to make gains in functional independence. He excels academically and participates in various extracurricular activities. Future challenges unique to the pediatric population include ethical issues of informed consent, psychosocial implications, limited donor pool, posttransplant compliance issues, and greater life expectancy and therefore time to inherit the many complications of immunosuppression. SUMMARY: Currently, we recommend pediatric vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA)...
Source: Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation - Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: Tags: Curr Opin Organ Transplant Source Type: research