Organ retrieval and banking in brain dead trauma patients: Our experience at level-1 trauma centre and current views

BACKGROUND: Organ retrieval from brain dead patients is getting an increased attention as the waiting list for organ recipients far exceeds the organ donor pool. In our country, despite a large population the number of brain dead donors undergoing organ donation is very less (2% in our study). AIMS: The present study was undertaken to address issues related to organ donation and share our experience for the same. METHODS: A retrospective case record analysis of over 5 years from September 2007 to August 2012 was performed and the patients fulfilling brain death criterion as per Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue (Amendment) Act were included. Patient demographics (age, sex), mode of injury, time from injury to the diagnosis of brain death, time from diagnosis of brain death to organ retrieval and complications were analysed. STATISTICS ANALYSIS: Student's t test was used for parametric data and Chi square was used for categorical data. RESULTS: Out of 205 patients who were identified as brain dead, only 10 patients became potential organ donors. CONCLUSION: Aggressive donor management, increasing public awareness about the concept of organ donation, good communication between clinician and the family members and a well-trained team of transplant coordinators can help in improving the number of organ donations.