Effective pig liver preservation with an extracellular-like UW solution containing the oncotic agent polyethylene glycol: a preliminary study

Abstract

SAFE ORGAN PRESERVATION is mandatory for immediate life-sustaining function. Recent developments have improved the understanding of the principles of organ preservation, although some questions remain unsolved. Indeed, the role of oncotic molecules in liver preservation is still controversial. Theoretically these molecules prevent interstitial edema, but in the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) does not appear essential for short-term preservation of the liver. Some results, however, suggest better long-term storage if HES is included, and its addition to UW solution appeared to protect the hepatic architecture prior to reperfusion. However, colloid addition to cold-storage solutions appears to be necessary for successful heart and pancreas preservation. Thus, the continued use of a colloid in preservation solutions is justified if the solution has to be used to preserve all intraabdominal organs. In the present study, we tested the substitution of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for HES in the extracellular-like (high-Na , low-K ) UW cold preservation solution. As a model we used orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in pigs.