| Theme |
Renal Transplantation under New Organ Sharing System in Japan |
| Title |
Current status and future perspective of organ transplant network in Japan |
| Author |
Satoshi Teraoka |
Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical College |
| Author |
Yasushi Asano |
Department of Nephrology, Jichi Medical School |
| Author |
Yasuhiko Iino |
Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School |
| Author |
Toshihiko Nagasawa |
Kyorin University, School of Medicine |
| Author |
Kiyoshi Kurokawa |
School of Medicine, Tokai University |
| [ Summary ] |
A transplant network managed by a neutral, non-profit third party is indispensable for achieving rapid, effective and fair organ sharing. Thus, the Japan Kidney Transplant Network (JKTN) was organized in 1995. Since then, the allocation policy and related regulations, and HLA typing have been standardized after many year's discussion, and kidney sharing based upon blood type, HLA compatibilities and waiting time have become finally established. In June, 1997, the Organ Transplant Act was legislated and heart and liver transplantation from heart-beating cadaver will be done after its enforcement in October. JKTN will be reorganized in to the Japan Organ Transplant Network, which will be in charge of multi organsharing including heart, lung, liver, pancreas and intestinal transplants, in addition to kidney based upon each allocation policy. |