Abdominal organ procurement is a high-stakes operation that blends anatomy, speed, and coordinated teamwork. In this Behind the Knife episode, the UNMC transplant team walks through the practical “how-to” of deceased donor abdominal recovery—covering OR roles and logistics, key anatomic maneuvers, cannulation/flush troubleshooting, and the workflow differences that matter most between donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after circulatory death (DCD).HostsMadeline Cloonan, MD PhD – General Surgery Resident, University of Nebraska Medical Center (@maddie_cloonan) Evelyn Waugh, MD – Transplant Surgery Fellow, University of Nebraska Medical Center Jacqueline Dauch, MD – Abdominal Transplant Surgeon, University of Nebraska Medical Center Alex Maskin, MD – Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Surgeon, University of Nebraska Medical CenterLearning Objectives Compare DBD vs DCD donor workflow and define total vs functional warm ischemia. Identify key OR roles and the ethical/legal separation of death declaration from procurement teams. Outline the core steps of abdominal procurement, including exposure, cannulation, cross-clamp, and organ removal sequence. Apply a practical troubleshooting approach when flush flow is inadequate References Englesbe MJ, Mulholland MW. Operative Techniques in Transplantation Surgery. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2018. Tullius SG, Rabb H. Improving the supply and quality of deceased-donor organs for transplantation. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(20):1924–1933. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1708700. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29768153/ Croome KP, Barbas AS, Whitson B, et al. American Society of Transplant Surgeons recommendations on best practices in donation after circulatory death organ procurement. Am J Transplant. 2023;23(2):171–179. doi:10.1016/j.ajt.2022.10.009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36695685/ Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more. If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listenBehind the Knife Premium:General Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-reviewTrauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlasDominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkshipDominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotationVascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewColorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewSurgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-audio-reviewCardiothoracic Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/cardiothoracic-surgery-oral-board-audio-reviewDownload our App:Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Android/Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.app&hl=en_US

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