Tissue

In the field of transplantation surgery, use of human tissue is of increasing relevance. For this reason, the Coordination Office of Tissue Transplantation was established at ÖBIG in 1999. Its primary goal is to optimise the availability of sufficient quantities of tissue preparations of good quality, in accordance with the relevant legislation. Observing the corresponding statutes is important because of the risk of transmitting diseases from the donor to the recipient.

Our project work is concentrated primarily on allogenic tissue, because the demand for allogenic preparations cannot be met for a number of tissue types (e.g. heart valves). In recent years the focus of activities has been placed on bones, corneas and heart valves. In addition, surveys on transplantation of islet cells, skin and keratinocytes (skin cells) as well as chondrocytes (cartilage cells) were conducted.

According to the Pharmaceuticals Act, tissue preparations are regarded as pharmaceuticals. Therefore, the removal, treatment, storage and distribution of tissue and tissue preparations have to meet all quality standards under the Pharmaceuticals Act as well as the Act on Tissue Safety adopted on 19 March and the Decrees related to these two Acts. The Tissue Safety Act is based on Directive 2004/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on setting standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells.

As in the case of organ removal, the opting-out regulation also applies regarding admissibility of tissue removal.

For recent developments and data on organ, tissue and stem cell donation and transplantation please consult the latest annual report (Transplant-Jahresbericht 2011).

Contact: Alexander Eisenmann