Cleveland Clinic surgeons are harnessing new technology to improve organ preservation during transplantation, recognizing the critical role every second plays in saving lives. Dr. David Reich, the surgical director of the liver transplant program at Cleveland Clinic Florida, explains that traditional ice coolers used to store organs are not ideal for maintaining their health.
The new machine perfusion technologies enable livers to be kept somewhat alive between donor and recipient by pumping oxygenated blood or solution through the donor’s liver outside of the body. This process improves organ quality, allowing surgeons to examine it more thoroughly and determine if it is suitable for transplantation or requires further rejuvenation. Research has shown that perfusion reduces complications and improves outcomes for patients.
Dr. Reich highlights that using perfusion technology has led to patients being discharged from hospitals sooner, experiencing fewer complications, and having better safety during the transplant procedure. Ongoing research is being conducted on this new technology, which shows promise and is now being considered for other types of organ transplants as well. National Donate Life Month serves as a reminder of the life-saving impact of organ donation and the importance of continuing advancements in transplant technologies.