The world’s third center for composite tissue transplantation is to be established in affiliation with the Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Associate Professor Omer Ozkan, who performed the first double arm transplant in Turkey, told the Anatolia news agency.
Composite tissue transplantation is the transfer of composite tissue that can be applied to the hands, face and other body parts for improved quality of life, the Akdeniz University professor said.
Ozkan said the Turkish delegation that attended a congress of the American Society for Reconstructive Transplantation (ASRT) had a series of meetings to establish a composite tissue transplantation unit in Turkey. Currently, there are only two such centers in the world — both in the US. He said they have reached the point of taking solid steps following the meetings.
While noting that hand transplantation is performed now, Ozkan said eliminating the damage caused by medicine given to patients that they take to prevent the rejection of a transplant is still problematic. Pointing out that important developments have taken place in US centers regarding this issue, the professor said studies in the centers attempt to eliminate the need to use such medicines. He also added that 80 percent of the patients, who underwent transplantation operations in the last two years, stopped using medicines that prevent transplant rejection. Ozkan said many surgeons and immunologists across the world attended the congress, and he received positive reactions about the double arm transplant he performed.
The Antalya center plans to work in cooperation with the US centers. When the procedures are completed regarding the opening of the center, officials from the US center will come to Turkey to establish the Antalya center, and they will also deliver lectures to Turkish personnel.
Source: TODAY’S ZAMAN
