Organ Procurement for Multivisceral Abdominal Transplantation in the Pig

As a result of the introduction of cyclosporine in immunosuppressive regimens, organ transplantation has become a widely accepted form of therapy for end stage organ disease. Transplant operations previously considered experimental have become routine procedures. Multivisceral abdominal transplantation (MVTX) in which the stomach, duodenum, small and large intestine, liver, pancreas, and spleen are transplanted en bloc might become a therapeutic option for the treatment of short bowel syndrome with end stage liver failure. To explore the technical aspects of multiorgan graft procurement, preservation and transplantation, 35 MVTX operations were performed in pigs.