[The regional explantation team: an important contribution to organ procurement for transplantation in the Netherlands]

Abstract

If organ donations concern not only the kidneys, but also the liver, pancreas and, sometimes, the heart and (or) lungs, several surgical removal teams, often from different (foreign) transplantation centres, may be involved. This has created organizatory problems resulting in loss of organs for transplantation. In the Nijmegen area since October 1994 a removal team has been active that in the regional donor hospital removes all abdominal organs from the donor on behalf of the various transplantation centres. This regional removal team performed 105 multi-organ explanations in the period from October 1994 to December 1997. The reports that came back from the transplantation centres that had received the organs showed that none of these organs had been lost for transplantation through organizatory problems or anatomical damage. Experiences of operating room staff involved were positive: it was especially the standard surgical techniques and the quiet in the operating room that were appreciated. Special removal teams may greatly improve the evolution of organ donation in the Netherlands.