Cadaveric organ transplantation and religion.

Multiple organ procurement is a surgical procedure by which organs of a brain dead donor are taken for transplantation. Cadaveric organ donors must be those who have suffered a sudden structural and irreversible damage of the brain or brainstem. Social and scientific aspects of organ transplantation have been widely discussed so far, whereas the religious factor, which should be also respected, has rarely been analyzed. Considering the fact that Serbia is a multicultural and multi-confessional society, opinions of all confessions practised in the Republic of Serbia should be taken into account. The Orthodox Church permits transplantation from one man to another and transplantation is strongly recommended from the standpoint of Christian morality. These attitudes are accepted and respected by the Roman Catholic Church, Reformers, Judaism and Islam as well. For the future development of organ transplantation it is necessary to have a sufficient number of organ donors. Valid and complete laws must strictly define brain death, organ donation and waiting lists. The public should be fully informed about this issue in order to build mutual confidence between the population and medical staff.

[Multiple organ transplantation].

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation is the most demanding of all solid organ tranplantations. It requires perfect organization and motivation of health care professionals, patients and their families. This article deals with the procedure for multiple organ procurement, reviews criteria for organ donation and describes the surgical tehnique for multiple organ procurement. DISCUSSION: Adequate selection and evaluation of cadaveric donors and of organs for transplantation should include early identification of potential donors, and early diagnosis of brain death. The procurement of the highest number of viable organs jbfor transplantation requires excellence in each of the phases. Early and aggressive physiologic support in the maintenance of fotential donors can reduce organ donor loss due to irreversible asystole or multiorgan jafiure (it is almost always possible to maintain organ perfusion pressure) and increase the number of organs without increasing post-transplant morbidity or mortality. The ideal donor is a young, previously healthy, brain dead, victim of an accident. CONCLUSION: The surgical procedure for multiple organ procurement from brain death donors must be performed without intraopertive organ damage.