Optimal System for Deceased Organ Donation and Procurement in Korea / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

Since the first deceased donor kidney transplantation in 1979, continuous efforts have been made to increase deceased organ donation in Korea. However, a critical shortage of human organs for transplant is still a serious problem and is partly caused by the absence of a system to actively identify and properly manage deceased donors in Korea. Considering this, Korea needs to create a new national system for deceased donor identification, management, and organ procurement. There are three kinds of organ procurement systems in the world: The "Spanish model", the "United States model", and the "other European model". We reviewed each system and suggested the optimal organ procurement system for Korea. We also proposed requirements for operating an organ procurement organization and increasing deceased organ donation. Further improvements in the organ procurement system will contribute to improve the current organ shortage.