Experimental isolation and preservation of solid organs before transplantation: effects of pretreatment using four different molecules.

OBJECTIVES: In transplantation surgery, the ischaemic organ and reperfusion impairment after cold storage remains a considerable risk factor for impaired function and potential failure of the grafted organ. Substantial logistical efforts have been undertaken to reduce the cold ischaemic time because the demand for available transplant organs and the periods of cold ischaemia are increasing. METHODS: Four molecules were investigated (erythropoietin, sildenafil, lazaroid [U74389G], octreotide) in individual intravenous infusions 1 hour before the organ was harvested. This study was performed in 30 healthy landrace/large-white pigs (male; >10 weeks old; average weight, 22 ± 2 kg) in groups of six. The organs were studied at harvest, and at 8 and 24 hours post-harvest. RESULTS: The lazaroid molecule increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and pancreas at 8 hours. Hepatic lazaroid molecules improved liver histology at 8 and 24 hours. For kidneys, erythropoietin had a positive effect at 24 hours post-harvest. For the pancreas, octreotide showed better performance. In the lungs, there was less interstitial oedema with erythropoietin and lazaroid compared with the control group at 8 hours post-harvest. CONCLUSION: All molecules had a positive effect and decreased ischaemia/reperfusion graft injury. Thus, pretreatment before organ harvest has a beneficial role.

Oversized pseudocysts of the spleen: Report of two cases: Optimal management of oversized pseudocysts of the spleen.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudocysts of the spleen are usually asymptomatic and associated with a history of trauma, infection or infarction. In this report, we present two uncommon cases of solitary, oversized pseudocysts of the spleen. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Two patients (cases A and B), with symptoms of abdominal pain, were investigated. The laboratory and ultrasound examination confirmed the diagnosis of a large, non-parasitic splenic cyst in both cases. Computed tomography described an oversized pseudocyst occupying almost the entire splenic parenchyma in both cases and in patient A, the cyst was located in the splenic hilum. The medical history revealed a previous abdominal injury only in case A. The two patients underwent an open total splenectomy. The pathology examination verified the diagnosis of a non-parasitic splenic pseudocyst. DISCUSSION: Both patients presented with symptoms, in contrast to the majority of patients with splenic cysts. The medical history of patients with splenic pseudocysts does not always reveal the cause of the pseudocyst formation. Any type of spleen-sparing procedure is not easy to perform in cases of surgical and anatomical difficulty, because of recurrence and the risk of intractable bleeding from the spleen. CONCLUSION: Partial splenectomy is the recommended method for parenchymal preservation, but total splenectomy is preferred when the splenic cyst is oversized or cannot be excised with safety.