A comparative study on the efficacy of a retrograde perfusion technique and an antegrade perfusion technique for donor kidney recovery in transplantation in pigs

BACKGROUND: Donor organ shortage is a significant problem in kidney transplantation. Improvement of perfusion techniques can increase the number of available organs. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency and safety of retrograde perfusion (RP) of kidney grafts during organ recovery after transplantation in pigs. METHODS: Ten pigs were divided into two groups, six in the study group for the RP technique and four in the control group for standard antegrade perfusion (AP). The left kidney was removed and perfused by the RP or AP method according to the study group. The perfused left kidney was auto-transplanted to the right groin location. The right kidney was removed and perfused in the same manner and then stored at 4 °C for 24 h prior to histopathological analysis. Data in both groups were observed and recorded. RESULTS: All kidneys perfused by both the RP and AP methods were satisfactory in appearance. All grafts showed diuresis from the first postoperative day onward. On postoperative day 7, the mean serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were 174 ± 9.7 ìmol/L and 27.7 ± 2.5 mg/dL in the RP group, and they were 168 ± 13.7 ìmol/L and 26.5 ± 4.3 mg/dL, respectively, in the AP group (p = 0.483 for Scr and p = 0.646 for BUN). The mean peak Scr levels in the RP group (570 ìmol/L) and the AP group (530 ìmol/L) were similar. All pigs survived with adequate renal function throughout the study period. There was minimal interstitial and tubular edema, and there was endothelial cell swelling in some specimens before revascularization in both groups. At postoperative day 7, the auto-transplanted kidneys showed normal glomerular and tubular structure with little interstitial edema and inflammatory cell infiltration in the grafts. No differences were identified between the two groups. Under electron microscopy, the tubular epithelial cells, glomeruli, and glomerular capillary endothelium of the grafts appeared normal in both groups after 24 h in cold storage. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney grafts in pigs perfused by RP had normal function after transplantation compared with the AP control group. Therefore,retrograde perfusion is potentially an efficient, safe kidney perfusion method for organ recovery. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12893-017-0285-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.