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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Heterotopic Renal Autotransplantation in a Porcine Model: A Step-by-Step Protocol
Published on: February 21, 2016
Primary organ function of warm ischaemically damaged porcine kidneys after retrograde oxygen persufflation
Jürgen W Treckmann1, Andreas Paul, Stefano Saad
1Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstr.55,45122 Essen, Germany. j.treckmann@gmx.net
Background:
As warm ischaemic damage is a major reason for the loss of donor organs, an experimental study was performed in order to evaluate retrograde oxygen persufflation (ROP) as a method to extend the warm ischaemic tolerance of kidneys.
Methods:
Kidneys of 32 pigs were exposed to warm ischaemia for 60, 90 or 120 min. Then, 16 kidneys were subjected to ROP for 4 h at 4 degrees C and 16 controls were stored in cold UW-solution, followed by autotransplantation.
Results:
Only in the group with 60 min warm ischaemic time and ROP did all animals survive the observation period of 7 days. In all other groups some animals died due to anuria. Short-term survivors in these groups had significantly higher creatinine levels.
Conclusions:
In this setting, ROP was superior to cold storage when applied after 60 min of warm ischaemia. Clinical evaluation of ROP in the setting of marginal donors and non-heartbeating donation is recommended.
