Renal Preservation by Ice-Cooling

Abstract

A series of experiments are reported in which canine kidneys were removed, cooled with ice, and reimplanted. An assessment was made of subsequent renal function and morphology. It was found that with up to 12 hours of preservation kidneys were able to withstand the severe test of an immediate opposite nephrectomy. Between 12 and 17 hours the damage was sometimes partially reversible. However, with 24 hours’ preservation severe irreversible damage resulted. The interpretation of the microscopical changes in relation to those occurring in renal homografts is discussed. © 1963, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.