Allograft Preservation: The Indiana University Experience

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution (HTK) has been scrutinized for use in pancreas transplantation. A recent case series and a United Network for Or-gan Sharing data base review have suggested an in-creased incidence of allograft pancreatitis and graft losswith HTK compared to theUniversity ofWisconsin solution (UW). Conversely, a recent randomized, con-trolled study failed to show any significant difference between HTK and UW for pancreas allograft preser-vation. This study was a retrospective review of all pancreas transplants performed at Indiana University between 2003 and 2009 comparing preservation with HTK or UW. Data included recipient and donor demo-graphics, 7-day, 90-day and 1-year graft survival, peak 30-day serumamylase and lipase, HbA1c andC-peptide levels. Of the 308 pancreas transplants, 84 % used HTK and 16 % UW. There were more SPK compared to pan-creas after kidney and pancreas transplant alone in the HTK group. Donor and recipient demographics were similar. Therewas no significant difference in 7-day, 90-day or 1-year graft survival, 30-day peak serumamylase and lipase, HbA1c or C-peptide. No clinically significant difference between HTK and UW for pancreas allograft preservation was identified. Specifically, in the con-text of low-to-moderate flush volume and short cold ischemia time (≤10 h), no increased incidence of allo-graft pancreatitis or graft loss was observed. Key words: HTK solution, pancreas transplantation, preservation solutions, University of Wisconsin solu-tio