The percentage of multiorgan donors (MOD) versus single organ donors o
f kidneys only (SOD-K) has remained markedly low in the Netherlands co
mpared to the other countries in the Eurotransplant region, This sugge
sts a possible loss of donor organs. We investigated the causes of thi
s persisting low percentage of MOD by studying the reasons for kidney
donation only. All kidney donors in the Eurotransplant region in 1992
were studied retrospectively. In order to be able to make a comparison
between all countries investigated, non-heart-beating donors and dono
rs older than 55 years were excluded. Medical reasons were the most fr
equent cause for kidney donation only in the Netherlands, but this was
not significantly different from the other countries in the Eurotrans
plant region, Multiorgan donation in the Netherlands was restricted by
upper age limits for heart and liver transplantation and by the conse
nt system.