title: Vascularized composite allotransplantation at a crossroad.
abstract: Vascularized composite allotransplantation is a relatively young field that has shown significant growth in the past decade. The subspecialty offers opportunities that are not available with solid organ transplants. However, the field also faces significant hurdles in increasing clinical volumes. The development of innovative immune-reduction strategies will likely determine the pace and direction of growth in the field in the years to come.
authors.affiliation: Duke University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Ravindra
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ildstad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery; D054445:Facial Transplantation / Q000639:trends; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D063987:Hand Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods*