Ice storage versus perfusion for preservation of kidneys before transplantation.

The results of simple ice storage and prolonged perfusion storage of kidneys were compared in two series, each of 100 cadaver kidney transplants. There was a similar warm ischaemia time for both groups, but the average total storage time was 17 hours for the perfused kidneys as compared to three and a half hours for those stored in ice. The results of transplantation (as shown by transplant function at three and 12 months) were the same for both groups. There was no evidence of damage due to prolonged perfusion. The extra time, however, enabled a more convenient operation time to be chosen and more extensive tissue matching to be undertaken.