Donor Awareness
Organ transplantation has progressed during recent decades in a way that nobody would have imagined in earlier years and the demand for transplantable organs far outweighs the available supply.
Donor is a person who is willing to give his organ after the person concerned has given free and informed consent to it. This person must make a free choice in the absence of any undue influence and must be given appropriate information beforehand as to the intended use and nature of the intervention as well as its consequences and risks.
Who can be organ donor in the field of Lung transplantation?
Age of preferably less than 55 years
Clear serial chest X-ray
Absence of chest trauma
No evidence of aspiration or sepsis
Absence of organisms on sputum gram stain
No history of primary pulmonary disease or active pulmonary infection
Tobacco history less than 20 pack-years
ABO compatibility
No prior cardiopulmonary surgery
Appropriate size match with prospective recipient
What are the different types of donors?
Donation after brain death (DBD)
Donation after the circulatory determination of death (DCD) – Not allowed in India
Living donor
What do you mean by donation after brain death (DBD)?
Brain death is defined as the irreversible loss of all functions of the brain, including the brainstem. Donation after brain death ( DBD) is a commonly performed organ donation for Lung transplant in India.
The most important findings in brain death are as follows : coma, Absence of brainstem reflexes, Apnoea
Evaluation for brain death should be considered in patients who have suffered a massive, irreversible brain injury of identifiable cause
Who can certify the donation after brain death?
For the purpose of certifying the brain-stem death, the Appropriate Authority shall maintain a panel of experts like neurologist , neurosurgeon , intensivist etc., in accordance with the provisions of the Transplantation Act, to ensure efficient functioning of the Board of Medical Experts and to remain fully operational.
Can the common Public voluntarily give consent for Donation after brain Death when they are in good health?
Yes. Any one who is humble enough to donate organs can go the website named : notto.gov.in (Government website for information regarding organ donation and pledging) and register themselves freely with the necessary information and once finished they will receive the donor card via mail which is needed to be kept safe and to inform the family members . In case of unduly incident the family members is advised to inform the hospital authorities or the transplant hospital for further process.
