Abstract
Tissue transplantation is a life-enhancing therapeutic modality for damaged or non-functioning tissues. In most cases, there is no alternative other than human tissue as replacement, and taking into account the ever-increasing demand for tissue grafts, it makes sense to set up an establishment in charge of human tissue procurement to meet local needs. A quality assurance system, clearly defined standards, and regular audits complement the infrastructure which make this activity feasible. The process of tissue procurement consists of donor identification, consent, tissue recovery, donor screening and testing, tissue processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, terminal sterilization, storage and distribution. The transplantation of homograft heart valves remains controversial, due to the availability of prosthetic and bioprosthetic alternatives. The limited durability of homografts has not yet outweighed the advantages which this graft offers. Adherence to regulations and regularly revised guidelines improve long-term efficacy and minimizes complications or malfunction. Furthermore, the lower price of homograft heart valves and the removal of the need for a lifetime of anticoagulation therapy are noteworthy advantages of this replacement. In our practice, the proportion of homograft heart valves meeting release criteria and successfully implanted grafts were 83% and 95%, respectively.
Highlights
Allogenic grafts – or allografts – are tissue grafts to replace damaged or non-functioning tissues in order to restore normal function
The first experience in the field of tissue transplantation saw a fresh aortic valve placed into the descending aorta and was performed by Gordon Murray in 19561
Safe, efficient and durable homografts requires a standard system run based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)[9]
Summary
Allogenic grafts – or allografts – are tissue grafts to replace damaged or non-functioning tissues in order to restore normal function. Considering the pros and cons of homografts, these tissue valves are more cost-benefit and affordable for a majority of settings worldwide. This fact has led to increasing demand for aortic and pulmonary valve homografts. Safe, efficient and durable homografts requires a standard system run based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)[9]. To tackle this requirement, we try to comprehensively review the general concepts of tissue procurement, where particular emphasis is given to quality, safety and heart valve processing as the most biocompatible and affordable replacement for valvular dysfunction, once valve replacement is indicated. This article aims to systematically summarize the procedures of human tissue procurement, to show the feasibility of this activity, in light of ever-increasing need[10]
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