This story is from June 22, 2022

Thiruvananthapuram: Harvested kidney can be preserved up to 48 hrs: Docs

The suspension of two heads of departments of Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital amidst allegation that a delay in kidney transplant led to the death of a patient has sparked a debate with experts pointing out that harvested kidney can be preserved up to 48 hours without any consequences.
Thiruvananthapuram: Harvested kidney can be preserved up to 48 hrs: Docs

The suspension of two heads of departments of Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital amidst allegation that a delay in kidney transplant led to the death of a patient has sparked a debate with experts pointing out that harvested kidney can be preserved up to 48 hours without any consequences.
"Once a kidney is harvested, it can be preserved for several hours even without machine perfusion.
I have personally used a kidney in Australia 48 hours after retrieval so a delay of four hours in the MCH case is of no consequence," said Dr Chacko Jacob, former HoD of nephrology, CMC Vellore.
T'puram: The action against doctors for alleged delay in the transplant surgery has led to a serious debate about whether a delay in the kidney transplant will lead to death. Experts are of the view that a harvested kidney can be kept for 24-48 hours.
"To work up a recipient for a transplant takes several hours, especially if the patient is on dialysis. It also requires blood investigations including cross-match, radiology, cardiac evaluation, etc. Once a kidney is harvested, it can be preserved for several hours even without machine perfusion. I have used a kidney in Australia 48 hours after retrieval so a delay of four hours after reaching Thiruvananthapuram is of no consequence,'' said Dr Chacko Jacob, former Hod of Nephrology, CMC Vellore.

He also said the argument that some people not from the transplant team received the organ is of no significance as it was not misplaced. Dr Chacko who has been involved with kidney transplants in India, Canada and Australia, has taken up this issue with the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation. He requested the ISOT to write in this regard to the state health minister. "In a routine kidney transplant surgery, we can store the harvested kidney for 24 hours. Moreover, when the donor's kidney is brought to the hospital, there are certain tests to ensure there are no issues with it. Even though kidney transplant has become common, it is complex and the health condition of the patient also has a key role in the success rate," said Dr Samuel Koshy, state president of IMA.
"The patient here was in a very complicated condition and the risk involved was informed to his relatives. They were ready to take that risk. After the surgery, the patient suffered a post operative hypertension for which doctors cannot be blamed,'' said Dr Binoy S of Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA).
A dedicated transplant team athospitals will solve such a crisis. Their service should be ensured round the clock, said Dr N Sulphi, president-designate of IMA.
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