Hyperbaric oxygenation and profound hypothermia to preserve canine kidneys.

Abstract

THE GROWING reluctance of workers in the clinical field of renal homotransplantation to use living donors makes it increasingly urgent that a method be developed that is simple in its execution and effective in its results for the preservation of cadaver or spare kidneys until their use is required. There are few reports in the literature of autotransplanted canine kidneys supporting the life of the animal following 24 hours of extracorporeal storage. Humphries and associates 1 initially had only moderate success, but by modifying their method they have obtained considerable success even to the extent of performing an immediate contralateral nephrectomy. 2 Their technique, however, is somewhat complicated, utilizing continuous perfusion with the interposition of an oxygenator in the circuit. Manax and associates 3 have recently made an important contribution in utilizing hyperbaric oxygenation and profound hypothermia to maintain the viability of canine kidneys. Many other authors, including Calne and