[Experiences with the en bloc multiorgan procurement technique]

The pressing need to obtain organs for transplantation demands an optimal usage of donors. Surgical techniques based on rapid multiorganic retrieval gain vital importance especially when hemodynamically unstable donors are involved.

To highlight the advantages of this technique and evaluate our experience after 2 years of implementation.

A longitudinal, prospective non-controlled study was performed, including 34 multiorganic retrievals using the Total Abdominal Evisceration (TAE) technique. Information on demographic characteristics, surgical times, anatomical variations and final fate of organs is gathered.

Thirty four organ retrievals were performed using TAE techniques. Included donors had a mean age of 47 years and a mean weight of 66 kg. Dissection time range was 35 +/- 10 min, bloc retrieval was performed in 20 +/- 8 min and dissection at backbench range was 100 +/- 30 min. All anatomic variations were detected and were present in 46.9% of cases. Over 70% of livers retrieved by TAE resulted in minimal preservation injury. Only one presented primary non-function after transplantation, directly related to hemodynamic instability.

The TAE technique for multiorgan retrieval allows adequate harvesting of organs for transplantation with favorable preservation. It is a valid alternative for transplant groups in our country, especially when dealing with unstable donors.