Duodenopancreatectomy for transplantation

D. D. Nghiem, J. A. Schulak and R. J. Corry
Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Forty duodenopancreatectomies for transplantation were performed. The technique focused on the maintenance of the cardiovascular hemodynamics of the donor during the procedure, the meticulous dissection and preservation of all vascular supplies to the duodenum and the pancreas, and the suppression of warm ischemia by in situ cooling. Recipient euglycemia was established within two hours of the revascularization in 37 of 38 pancreata transplanted. Only six of the 78 renal transplant recipients receiving more than one organ from the same donor required postoperative dialysis, for a 7.7% incidence of delayed graft function. Immediate function was observed in all six cardiac allograft recipients.