Prolonged preservation increases surgical complications after pancreas transplants

Background. Prolonged preservation of the donor organ may result in delayed graft function or nonfunction after most organ transplants. We studied whe ther or not prolonged preservation increases surgical complications after p ancreas transplants. Methods. Between January 1, 1994, and September 30, 1998, a total of 294 re cipients underwent cadaver pancreas transplants at our institution. Recipie nts were analyzed in 2 groups: those with pancreas preservation time less t han or equal to 20 hours (n = 211) versus > 20 hours (n = 83). Results. Demographic data were similar between the 2 groups, except that me an donor age in the prolonged preservation group was significantly lower De spite use of younger donors, prolonged preservation was associated with an increased incidence of surgical complications, most notably leaks, thrombos is, and wound infections. Grafts with prolonged preservation were more ofte n noted by the transplant surgeon to be edematous after reperfusion, althou gh the incidence of hyperamylasemia posttransplant did not differ between t he 2 groups. Graft and patient survival rates also did not differ between t he 2 groups. The incidence of early graft loss (< 3 months) was, however; h igher in the prolonged preservation group (20.5% versus 9.0%, P = .04). Conclusions. Prolonged preservation of the donor organ increases the incide nce of surgical complications after pancreas transplants. All attempts shou ld be made to minimize preservation time, Keeping it below 20 hours, if pos sible.