Comparison of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution and university of wisconsin solution for organ preservation in clinical pancreas transplantation

Background. University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is currently the standard preservation solution used for abdominal organ transplantation. This study assesses the efficacy of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate OTM compared with UW in pancreas transplantation. Methods. Between October 2002 and August 2003, 20 pancreas transplants were performed. Patients were divided into two groups: UW (n = 10) and HTK (n = 10). Donor and recipient demographics were similar in both groups. The mean cold ischemia time for both groups was 11 +/- 3 hr. Results. There was an anticipated difference between total preservative volumes used (HTK: 4.5 +/- 1.2 L vs. UW: 3.4 +/- 0.8 L; P = 0.03). Patient and graft survivals to date were 100% in both groups. Serum fasting blood glucose, peak amylase, and serial amylase levels remained comparable at all intervals posttransplantation. Conclusions. Within this range of cold ischemia time, UW and HTK demonstrate similar efficacy in pancreas preservation.