Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) is the youngest field in organ transplantation and refers to the transplantation of anatomical structures with multiple tissue types. VCA has significantly expanded the surgical armamentarium and has enabled the reconstruction and restoration of body parts after devastating trauma, amputation, tumour excision, and congenital malformation. However, VCA has also brought new challenges pertinent to immunosuppression, related to the varying immunogenicity of VCA tissues. Furthermore, VCA has triggered ethical issues and debate.