Kidney preservation for cadaver transplantation: a Sri Lankan perspective?

Abstract

The demands of organ transplantation during the past few decades have stimulated a search for optimal methods of cadaveric kidney preservation. Hypothermia successfully ameliorating the celluer and metabolic effects of ischaemia has remained the corner stone of preservation of the donor organ. Of the methods tried and tested over the years, flush- storage at oo C in slushed ice has been found to be the most economical and convenient method, yielding optimal post storage function in the transplanted organ. Extending preservation time has depended upon understanding the mechanisms of loss of cellular viability at a biochemical and physiological level; and on the development of new and different storage solutions. The current clinically used solutions ( Marshall's Citrate and University of Wisconsin) can either be prepared locally or be suitably modified for use in countries with minimal health resources. thus, cold-storage of kidneys after vascular flush with simplified solutions could be the answer to possible cadaver transplantation Programme in Sri Lanka.