The present status of organ preservation: a review.

IN THE LAST DECADE there has been some advancement in the field of organ transplantation, but organ preservation remains in the embryonic stage. The necessity for a simple and efficient method for organ preservation is becoming increasingly important. In 1951, Dempster said, 'If the immunological problems, and other problems involved in procuring a normal functioning organ were solved our difficulties would be by no means over'. While there is no difficulty in preserving skin and blood vessels in the frozen state, other organs require more delicate handling. Many research workers in this field are aiming at the possibility of setting up organ banks, but this wishful thought remains still a distant goal. Storage of organs up to 24-48 hr (especially of the kidney) has been attempted, but there is not yet a reliable simple method for use in clinical practice.