On the waiting list for donor tissue
Some treatments require donor tissue. There may be a waiting list for this.
Some treatments require donor tissue. For example, you might be helped with a cornea or a heart valve from a deceased donor. There may be a waiting list for this.
Which tissues are involved?
After death, you can donate these tissues:
- eye tissue
- heart valves
- blood vessels
- bone tissue, cartilage, and tendons
- skin
After removal, the tissue goes to a tissue bank. The bank carefully examines and processes it. Once approved, it is stored there and can be used for transplantation. The storage period varies per tissue.
Waiting lists for tissues
In the Netherlands, there are waiting lists for corneas and heart valves.
Waiting list for a cornea
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye. You receive a transplant because the cornea of your eye is diseased or damaged. Usually, you are placed on a regular waiting list. You are typically helped quickly for this. Sometimes you need a special type of eye tissue, a cornea with an HLA match. In that case, the wait is longer.
Waiting list for a heart valve
Donor heart valves are needed if your own heart valve is severely damaged or not functioning properly. The right heart valve is not always immediately available. Allocation of a heart valve is based on your medical situation, age, and urgency.
Donor blood vessels
Donor blood vessels (aorta) are only retrieved together with heart valves. The tissue bank assesses, processes, and stores the blood vessels. Doctors can request them from the tissue bank.
Requests for bone, cartilage, and tendons
Donor bone, cartilage, and tendons are used in procedures such as joint surgeries, for example, a hernia or a hip or knee replacement. The doctor determines which tissue is needed and requests it from the tissue bank. If large pieces of bone or specific requirements are involved, it is sometimes not immediately available.
No waiting list for skin
Donor skin is used to treat burns and other wounds that are difficult to heal. Donor skin immediately seals the wound and reduces the risk of infection. There is no waiting list for donor skin. The doctor assesses how much skin is needed and requests it from the tissue bank.