Surgical residents' career interests in transplantation surgery in Germany - a nationwide survey.

The sustainability of transplantation surgery (TS) relies on the ability to attract and retain the next generation of surgeons. This study aims to assess how surgical residents perceive TS as a career pathway in Germany, and to identify barriers in choosing TS as a career. An anonymous 30-item online survey was distributed to surgical residents at all transplant centers registered with the Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation (DSO, German Organ Procurement Organization). Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS (version 29), free-text responses underwent thematic content analysis. Sixty-eight complete surveys were analyzed. TS was considered by 25% of respondents as a subspecialty training. Transplant-specific education was occasional or absent, though desired by >80%. Motivators included personal interest, patient care, and career development, while barriers were structural: lack of defined fellowship programs and limited autonomy during residency. Structured fellowship programs (46%), mentorship (27%) and enhanced operative autonomy (25%) were identified as key factors to encourage recruitment of surgeons in their early career stages. Surgical residents in their early career stages in Germany regard TS as an appealing career option. A structured training framework is a perceived unmet need to enhance recruitment to TS. Transplantation surgery, workforce sustainability, medical education.