Current opinion in organ transplantation
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Curr Opin Organ Transplant · Oct 2018
ReviewAdvances in machine perfusion, organ preservation, and cryobiology: potential impact on vascularized composite allotransplantation.
In this review, we discuss novel strategies that allow for extended preservation of vascularized composite allografts and their potential future clinical implications for the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA). ⋯ In the current scope of extended preservation protocols, high subzero approaches of VCA grafts will be particularly critical enabling technologies for the implementation of tolerance protocols clinically. Ultimately, advances in both preservation techniques and tolerance induction have the potential to transform the field of VCA and eventually lead to broad applications in reconstructive transplantation.