[Preservation of kidney transplants with a modified UW solution--initial clinical results]

Although the University of Wisconsin (UW) has become the standard solution for the preservation of kidneys for transplantation, the importance of the colloid hydroxyethylstarch (HES), one of the key compounds of the UW solution, has been judged controversial. It has been shown in various experimental models that dextran-40 may successfully substitute for HES. Dextran-40 is not only cheaper but also has a variety of biological effects which may be beneficial during the graft reperfusion phase. The aim of this clinical study was to examine the efficiacy of dextran-40 based preservation solution (Dex-PS) for its use for human kidney graft preservation and to compare the transplantation results with kidneys preserved with UW solution. A total of 87 kidneys were preserved with Dex-PS and matched with 87 kidneys preserved with UW solution. Both groups were comparable in terms of donor and recipients characteristics. Patient survival and graft survival after 1 year was 95% and 86% for the Dex-PS group and 94% and 90% for the UW group, respectively (p = n.s.). Primary non-function, delayed graft function, postoperative need for dialysis, and follow-up of serum creatinine were statistically comparable between these two groups. We conclude that dextran-40 can safely replace HES in the UW solution for the purpose of human kidney preservation for transplantation. There were no statistically detectable differences in graft performance between the kidneys preserved with UW and those preserved with Dex-PS.