Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Yeungnam University Institute Medical Science (영남대 의대 학술지 편집위원회)
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Anesthesia for a Jehovah's Witness Patient Experiencing Unexpected Perioperative Hemorrhage － A Case Report －

수술 중 예상치 못한 과출혈이 발생한 여호와의 증인 환자의 마취 1 예

  • Lim, Seoung-Ki (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University) ;
  • Jee, Dae-Lim (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University)
  • 임승기 (영남대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 지대림 (영남대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실)
  • Published : 2006.06.30
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Abstract

Jehovah's Witnesses refuse a transfusion of blood or blood products because of religious beliefs; this refusal at times presents a dilemma for the treating physician. We report a case of a 25-year-old Jehovah's Witness patient who underwent a reoperation for a previous proximal humerus shaft fracture and experienced unexpected massive hemorrhage intraoperatively and postoperatively. The postoperative lowest hemoglobin level was 2.9 g/dl. The patient recovered from the severe anemia without any clinical sequala. We review the legal, ethical and religious issues and suggest the best possible medical care that Jehovah's Witness patient would permit.

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