In the Medical Simulation Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw together with the cooperation with The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, and Clinics of General, Vascular, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery of the University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw an international conference concerning theoretical and practical issues of kidney transplantation entitled „International masterclass of donor management, kidney procurement and preservation for transplantation”.

Among the lecturers were European experts in kidney collection, perfusion and preservation. Participants also had an opportunity to meet with practitioners from the best transplantation units in Europe: University of Oxford, Cambridge University, Leiden University Medical Center, Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, University Medical Center in Groningen and Warsaw Medical University.

The conference was dedicated to aspects of evaluation and management of potential organ donors. Due to the fact that the European population is aging rapidly, there is a great need to identify potential organ donors of appropriate quality. It is crucial for the success of the whole transplant procedure. In the theoretical part technical issues related to kidney harvesting and rescue procedures, including options for organ preservation in hypo-, subnormo- or normothermic conditions to improve transplant success were discussed. On the second day the practical workshops in kidney harvesting and machine preservation were held. Also, many harvesting technologies were presented. It is worth noting that such masterclass was held for the first time in Eastern Europe and attracted the attention of many scientists.