Cryoprecipitated plasma perfusion preservation and cold storage preservation of duct-ligated pancreatic allografts.

It has been shown previously that, at least in dogs, a vascularized pancreatic allograft with ligation of the pancreatic duct can maintain normal beta-cell function for at least 5 years. In this study common organ preservation techniques, as used in human cadaveric kidney transplantation, were applied to canine pancreatic allografts to determine the influence of 24-hour preservation on beta-cell function, graft survival and histological appearances. Three groups of dogs were compared: group A consisted of 9 dogs with fresh grafts; group B consisted of 5 dogs who received grafts preserved for 24 hours by pulsatile hypothermic cryoprecipitated plasma perfusion; and group C was composed of 5 animals who received grafts that had been flushed with Collins' solution followed by hypothermic storage for 24 hours.