[Diagnostic workup of brain-dead organ donors and organ retrieval]

Renal transplantation is well established as the best and often the only treatment for many patients with end-stage kidney failure. Because of an increasing shortfall between the diminishing number of deceased donor organs available and the increasing waiting list of patients in need of transplantation the shortage of suitable donors remains one of the most pressing challenges. The success of organ transplantation can be attributed to many factors but ultimately depends upon retrieval and preservation techniques to maintain the quality of an organ. Although the literature on organ retrieval is extensive, the level of evidence provided is mainly low. But as techniques and treatments improve, it may be possible to use organs from donors who were previously thought to be unsuitable. This article provides the reader an overview on the topic of organ donation.