The influence of a novel organ perfusion solution on early graft function in canine renal autotransplantation

Objective-To evaluate the influence of a kidney perfusion solution on early graft function in dogs. Study Design-Experimental, randomized study. Animals-Intact adult male mongrel dogs (n = 12). Methods-Dogs had renal autograft transplantation without ureteroneocystotomy with contralateral nephrectomy. Kidney graft flushing with a novel organ perfusion solution was compared with flushing with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were measured daily posttransplant for 7 days. Ultrasound-guided renal biopsy was performed on postoperative day 1 for electron microscopic evaluation. Dogs were euthanatized on day 7. Results-All dogs completed the study. Cr and BUN concentrations of the saline group were significantly greater than the organ perfusion solution group on each postoperative day (P = .01 for S Cr; P = .001 for BUN). Electron micrographs of nuclei and mitochondria from convoluted proximal tubule cells indicated profound ultrastructural disruptions in the saline group and mild ultrastructural disruptions in the organ perfusion solution group. Conclusion-Flushing solution composition can influence early graft function in live donor kidney transplantation. Clinical Relevance-Use of a specialized flushing solution can improve early graft function in canine kidney transplantation, independent of antigen-mediated events. (C) Copyright 2008 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.