[Early recognition of brain death--a contribution to organ explantation]

The criteria for brain death are presented and reference is made to the legally required observation period. To shorten the observation period, the Federal Medical Council (Bundesärztekammer) set out in 1986 possible aids to making decisions. The time at which extensive additional investigations should start makes it necessary to approximately determine the moment of brain death. The tear secretion test presented in this paper could be a further decision aid.