Vascularized composite allotransplantation: a member of the transplant family?

The definition of vascularized composite allograft (VCA) and the nomenclature require further attention and interaction with the competent authorities. When compared with solid organ transplantation, VCA donation and allocation imply additional elements such as donor identification, race, and bone constitution, which need to be worked into a scheme for VCA allocation. Furthermore, retrieval of limbs, faces, and possibly other body parts demands algorithms for the sequence of steps during the donor operation. Relevant aspects and criteria for any VCA allocation concept are addressed in this article.