Last modified: 11 May 2000
Shortages of tissue for transplantation are hard to assess accurately and vary from tissue to tissue. Corneas, for example, require approximately a two month waiting time for scheduled surgery due to the need for fresh tissue and the lack of available supply. Skin grafts are always needed to treat burn patients. Disasters such as the brush fires and earthquakes in California, plane crashes, or refinery explosions can lead to very rapid depletion of banked skin graft reserves. I would hesitate to place a number on the annual shortage of skin for transplantation in the United States. However, I have heard of annual shortage estimates of up to 1000 square feet or more.
Heart valves and saphenous veins (leg veins) are also in very short supply. Many heart valves are used to treat children with congenital defects of their own heart valves. There is currently a critical shortage of long segments of saphenous vein which are used in vascular surgery to salvage limbs which might otherwise be lost due to lack of blood supply.
The availability of bone, tendon, and connective tissues are variable and dependent on the type of tissue desired. Patellar tendon is always in short supply because there are only two from each donor and they are frequently used to repair sporting related knee injuries. Many large bones such as the Illiac Crest, Proximal Humerous, whole Humerous or whole Femur are in great demand and may not be available when desired. Often they may be on "back order" for reconstructive surgery. Various bones can be reshaped and used in surgery for spinal fusion, reinforcing struts for long bone fractures, or mandiblular reconstruction. It is estimated that in 1995 there will be over 600,000 bone and soft tissue grafts used in the United States.
Without a continuous supply of all types of tissue used for transplantation many individuals needing tissue grafts may suffer and some may even die. I would encourage everyone to seriously consider the option of organ and tissue donation. If you feel that you would like to give the "gift of life" in the event of your death, please discuss your wishes with your family.
Tom Taddonio
Director, University of Michigan Skin Bank