Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) is a term utilized to describe multiple layers of the dermis and epidermis. They are composed of the body’s skin, brachium, femur, hands, face, nose, throat capillaries, arteries, veins, genitals, and the walls of the abdomen (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2024). According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (2024), as of 2017, there have been over 105 hand and facial transplants, and the initial transplant was completed in 2004. VCA is often used for individuals who need transplants. VCA transplants can assist with individuals who have limited mobility, and those who have suffered traumatic events which result in serious bodily injuries such as missing limbs and burn victims.
This procedure can assist individuals to live an improved quality of life, while allowing them to find the confidence they need to live healthy, mobile, and impactful lives. The complexity of work begins when VCA is utilized to treat individuals who are in need of hand transplants. This is a medical task that requires the connection of tendons, arteries, bone, and capillaries to reconstruct the hands. Additionally, this procedure can take several hours (16) to complete (HRSA, 2024). A face transplant is a procedure that is performed by medical professionals involving the reconstruction of facial muscles, bones, and teeth.
This is another medical procedure that is complex, as it involves special attention to small muscles, oral cavities, and the nasal passage. Following a facial and hand transplant, there will be little to no resemblance of the original donor, and the patient will begin to develop their individual features. Vascularized Composite Allograft (VCA) patients who are in need of transplants have specialized criteria to follow which include, matching blood types, similarities in facial and hand features, the same gender, body size, and habitus (HRSA, 2024). In order to complete the procedure, and speed up the road to recovery, patients are to adhere to prescribed medications, physical and occupational therapies, rehabilitation services to include speech and facial therapies, scar management, hot or cold compression, or additional ambulatory assistance services.
Reference
Health Resources and Services Administration. (2024). Face and hands. Retrieved on September 11, 2024 from https://www.organdonor.gov/lea...e-donated/face-hands
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