Use of a stockinette to minimize warm ischemia during renal transplant vascular anastomoses.

Abstract

Prolonged warm ischemia during renal transplant vascular anastomosis may have a deleterious impact upon allograft function in the immediate post-transplant period. Placing the donor kidney and sterile ice slush in a cotton stockinette obviates renal rewarming during vascular anastomoses. We successfully used this technique in nearly 1,000 patients undergoing renal transplantation. The stockinette facilitates transplant vascular anastomoses by permitting easier handling of the kidney and eliminating warm ischemia during revascularization as documented by continuous core temperature monitoring.