Allocation of corneas in europe.
BACKGROUND
To safeguard a fair distribution of available corneas, (inter)national and regional allocation principles have to be developed and implemented.


METHODS
To obtain information about allocation principles over the world, a literature search was done. Allocation in Europe was investigated by international data of Bio Implant Services Foundation (BIS) over the period 2002-2007.


RESULTS
For 4 different types of corneal grafts, e.g. random, HLA-typed, lamellar and emergency corneas, different allocation principles are described. Applying allocation criteria leads to dynamics in the donor and patient pool, which could be monitored by establishing the mean waiting time for each kind of corneal graft. Specific attention should be given to the division of corneas over the pools of different graft types, to ensure equal access to a transplant for all cornea patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to new surgical techniques and seasonal changes in the supply of corneal grafts, allocation is a dynamic process, which has to be closely monitored.
Bokhorst
Arlinke G
AG
Dorrepaal
Caroline A
CA
D003315:Cornea; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D005060:Europe; D005125:Eye Banks / Q000592:standards*; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006801:Humans; D040841:Resource Allocation