Donor and procurement related issues in vascularized composite allograft transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To understand the unique requirements of vascularized composite allograft (VCA) donation and procurement practices and the integral role of the established nationwide organ procurement organizations in organ procurement. RECENT FINDINGS: The recent issuance of a Final Rule (July 2013) by the United States Secretary of Health that redefines VCAs as organs rather than tissues, opens up the potential to formalize policies and procedures, under the auspices of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, that can improve VCA donation, procurement practices, develop allocation algorithms and provide transparent oversight. SUMMARY: Improved VCA donation rates, procurement procedures and broader sharing nationwide of VCA donors will have important implications in advancing the emerging field of VCA transplantation.