Skin Allotransplantation and Skin Allograft: Clinical and Basic Research

Dear Colleagues,

The fields of skin allotransplantation and skin allograft hold great promise for the future, but they face certain challenges that need to be overcome. Skin transplantation is a natural progression from VCA procedures such as hand or face transplantation, and the surgical procedure for abdominal skin transplantation is similar to that for abdominal wall transplantation. Skin transplantation or skin allograft will typically be used to treat patients with large congenital melanocytic nevi, extensive scars, skin hemangiomas, neurofibromas, and similar conditions that only require skin tissue, depending on the depth of a tissue defect and a patient's condition. The choice of whether to use skin transplantation as a vascularized flap or skin allograft also depends on these factors. Although various dermal substitutes exist in the field of surgery, none are as effective as a product that combines the epidermis and dermis layers.

Unlike VCA procedures, skin transplantation donors do not have to be brain-dead patients; living donors, such as siblings or household family members, are also viable options. However, both doctors and patients must weigh the surgical benefits and associated risks during the donor and recipient selection process. Donor-related problems may include scarring, while recipient-related issues may include immune rejection and the use of immunosuppressive agents, similar to those encountered in VCA procedures.

The types of papers that we are soliciting include the following: original research or review papers about (1) skin-specific antigenicy; (2) vascularized composite allotransplantation clinical studies; (3) VCA immunologic research; (4) skin allodermis clinical studies; (5) skin allodermis basic research; (6) skin cryopreservation; (7) potential donor-related problems; (8) potential recipient groups; (9) topical or systemic immuno-suppressive agents; and (10) relevant ethical issues, etc., that fit the scope of this Special Issue.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Transplantology.

Dr. Seokchan Eun
Guest Editor

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• skin transplantation

• vascularized composite allotransplantation
• free flap
• skin allograft
• dermal substitute
• immune rejection
• immunosuppressants
• transplantation immunology
• donor selection
• recipient selection
• transplantation ethics