Anesthetic Experience of Low Hemoglobin Level Patients due to Refusal of Blood Transfusion.
10.4097/kjae.1982.15.3.391
- Author:
Sook Hee MOON
1
;
soon Jum KIM
;
Kyung sook PARK
;
Young Chul PARK
;
Chun Ill GIL
;
Jung soon SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- MeSH:
Anemia;
Blood Transfusion*;
Cause of Death;
Disulfiram*;
Emergencies;
Female;
Humans;
Hysterectomy;
Jurisprudence;
Pregnancy;
Pregnancy, Ectopic
- From:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
1982;15(3):391-395
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Jehovah's Witness patients who require an operation represent a challenge to the physician because of the patients' refusal to accept a blood transfusion. We report 5 years experience with a consecutive series of 12 Jehovah's Witness patients in the Obstetric & Gynecological department who underwent operation. In 12 cases, death ensued in one patient who underwent subtotal hysterectomy for ectopic pregnancy. The cause of death was severe anemia & complicated respiratory problems. We discussed the problem of elective & emergency operations on Jehovah's Witness patients. Anesthesiologists must understand legal aspects, as well as and ethical, if they are to conduct their practice as an art as well as science.