Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression-related risks are foremost among ethical concerns regarding facial transplantation. However, previous risk estimates are inaccurate and misleading, because they are based on data from studies using different immunosuppression regimens, health status of the transplant recipients, tissue composition, and antigenicity. This review provides a comprehensive risk assessment for facial transplantation based on comparable data of immunosuppression, recipient health status, and composition and antigenicity of the transplanted tissue. METHODS: The risk estimates for face transplantation presented here are based on data reported in clinical kidney (10-year experience) and hand transplantation (5-year experience) studies using tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil/corticosteroid therapy. Mitigating factors including ease of rejection diagnosis, rejection reversibility, infection prophylaxis, patient selection, and viral serologic status are taken into account. RESULTS: Estimated risks include acute rejection (10 to 70 percent incidence), acute rejection reversibility (approximating 100 percent with corticosteroid therapy alone), chronic rejection (
| Translated title of the contribution | Risk assessment of immunosuppressive therapy in facial transplantation. |
|---|---|
| Original language | Undefined/Unknown |
| Pages (from-to) | 657-668 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| Volume | 120 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |