Article (Scientific journals)
Organ Procurement After Euthanasia: Belgian Experience
Ysebaert, dirk; Van Beeumen, G.; De Greef, K. et al.
2009In Transplantation Proceedings, 41, p. 585-586
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
 

Files


Full Text
Ysebaert.TP.2009.pdf
Publisher postprint (80.44 kB)
Request a copy

All documents in ORBi are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Keywords :
euthanasia; medically assisted suicide; organ donation; transplantation
Abstract :
[en] Euthanasia was legalized in Belgium in 2002 for adults under strict conditions. The patient must be in a medically futile condition and of constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated, resulting from a serious and incurable disorder caused by illness or accident. Between 2005 and 2007, 4 patients (3 in Antwerp and 1 in Liège) expressed their will for organ donation after their request for euthanasia was granted. Patients were aged 43 to 50 years and had a debilitating neurologic disease, either after severe cerebrovascular accident or primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Ethical boards requested complete written scenario with informed consent of donor and relatives, clear separation between euthanasia and organ procurement procedure, and all procedures to be performed by senior staff members and nursing staff on a voluntary basis. The euthanasia procedure was performed by three independent physicians in the operating room. After clinical diagnosis of cardiac death, organ procurement was performed by femoral vessel cannulation or quick laparotomy. In 2 patients, the liver, both kidneys, and pancreatic islets (one case) were procured and transplanted; in the other 2 patients, there was additional lung procurement and transplantation. Transplant centers were informed of the nature of the case and the elements of organ procurement. There was primary function of all organs. The involved physicians and transplant teams had the well-discussed opinion that this strong request for organ donation after euthanasia could not be waived. A clear separation between the euthanasia request, the euthanasia procedure, and the organ procurement procedure is necessary.
Disciplines :
Human health sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Surgery
Anesthesia & intensive care
Author, co-author :
Ysebaert, dirk
Van Beeumen, G.
De Greef, K.
Squifflet, Jean-Paul ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Chirurgie abdominale- endocrinienne et de transplantation
Detry, Olivier  ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Chirurgie abdominale- endocrinienne et de transplantation
De Roover, Arnaud ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Chirurgie abdominale- endocrinienne et de transplantation
Delbouille, Marie-Hélène ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Chirurgie abdominale- endocrinienne et de transplantation
Van Donink, W.
Roeyen, G.
Chapelle, T.
Bosmans, J. L.
Van Raemdonck, D.
Faymonville, Marie ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Anesthésie et réanimation
Laureys, Steven  ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Neurologie Sart Tilman
Lamy, Maurice ;  Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Anesthésie et réanimation
Cras, P.
More authors (6 more) Less
Language :
English
Title :
Organ Procurement After Euthanasia: Belgian Experience
Publication date :
March 2009
Journal title :
Transplantation Proceedings
ISSN :
0041-1345
eISSN :
1873-2623
Publisher :
Elsevier Science, New York, United States - New York
Volume :
41
Pages :
585-586
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 01 April 2009

Statistics


Number of views
242 (36 by ULiège)
Number of downloads
15 (10 by ULiège)

Scopus citations®
 
70
Scopus citations®
without self-citations
55
OpenCitations
 
54

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi