Combined cadaveric hepatic and renal organ procurement in infants. Technique for salvage of all organs

Abstract

The recent improved success with solid organ transplantation has made multiple-organ procurement from single cadaveric donors a more frequent procedure. The techniques for team procurement have resulted in excellent posttransplant organ function with minimal organ waste. In 12% of the population the right hepatic artery arises from the superior mesenteric artery. When this occurs in an infant or small pediatric combined kidney-liver donor, the aorta is divided below the superior mesenteric artery. Our method salvages the kidneys from these donors for en bloc transplantation without jeopardizing the liver for transplant.