An improved surgical technique for combined abdominal organ harvesting in organ donation after citizen death of children: a study of 76 cases

Abstract

Objective To study an improved surgical technique for combined abdominal organ harvesting from cadaveric donors in DCD of children. Methods The technique of combined abdominal organ harvesting has been refined using liver perfusion via the trunk of the superior mesentery vein (SMV), and this technique was used 76 times in harvesting. Results The mean time to establish hypothermia flushing was 1.5 minutes, and the mean hot ischemia time was 3 minutes. Organ harvesting resulted in 65 livers and 130 kidneys. Kidney transplantation was performed in our hospital on 121 patients, and liver transplantation was performed in other centers with the organs being distributed by CORTS. Primary liver dysfunction was found in 3 patients, and DGF which recovered well with hemodialysis was found in 24 patients. No injuries of hepatic and renal arteries occurred. Conclusions This improved technique shortened hot ischemic time, and improved quality of the harvested organs. The cadaveric organs functioned well after transplantation. This technique can be used more widely in clinical practice. Key words: Liver transplantation; Kidney transplantation; Abdomen organ harvest