Raf Krom

Cadaveric organ retrieval for transplantation

To relieve the persistent shortage of cadaveric donor organs for transplantation, organ harvesting may become a routine procedure in all general hospitals. Because of that prospect, the selection of donors, donor management, techniques of nephrectomy, hepatectomy, and pancreatectomy, and preservation procedures are described. Finally, criteria for the establishment of regional procurement programs, involving a professional transplant coordinator, are elucidated.

Vascular problems in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria

SummaryTwo patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) are described who had severe vascular complications.The first patient developed extensive thrombosis of the abdominal veins leading to intractable ascites symptomatically treated with a peritoneo-venous shunt. The second patient had aneurysm of the abdominal aorta treated with a prosthetic graft. Although in both patients prosthetic grafts were implanted no signs of an increased activation of the P.N.H. cells were found and no thrombosis or severe haemolytic anaemia occurred.It is suggested that surgical intervention for vascular complications in PNH should not be delayed because of fear of activating the PNH.