title: A technique for rapid harvesting of cadaveric renal and pancreatic grafts after circulatory arrest.
abstract: In Sweden, organs for transplantation can not be removed from cadaver donors until cardiac arrest has occured. We describe a technique for removal of kidneys and pancreas in which the whole abdominal contents are freed and reflected so that the retroperitoneal organ lie uppermost. The aorta is opened longitudinally and the relevant arteries are cannulated via the orifices. Cold perfusion of the three organs can usually be initiated 5-15 min after cardiac arrest and significant ischaemia is avoided. The full length of the vascular pedicles can be preserved and the dissection of the retroperitoneal organs is greatly facilitated.
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006323:Heart Arrest; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D009926:Organ Preservation; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation; D010477:Perfusion; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation