Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society

The Korean Neurosurgical Society (대한신경외과학회)
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Deciding not to Operate in Head Injuries and Legal Considerations

  • Choi, Il (Department of Neurosurgery Soonchunhyang University Chonan Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Kyeong-Seok (Department of Neurosurgery Soonchunhyang University Chonan Hospital) ;
  • Shim, Jai-Joon (Department of Neurosurgery Soonchunhyang University Chonan Hospital) ;
  • Choi, Weon-Rim (Department of Neurosurgery Soonchunhyang University Chonan Hospital)
  • Published : 2007.08.30
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Abstract

It is not the best way to treat a hopeless patient with life-sustaining medical devices until the heart beats stop. Advanced medical technology may prolong the life for a significant period without recovery from the disease. However, it would give an unbearable economic burden to the family and the society. In 2006, we decided not to operate 9 patients with traumatic intracranial hematomas. We examined those patients with special references to possible legal and ethical problems. It is reasonable to withhold a treatment after documentation that the family never wants any life sustaining treatment when the treatment does not guarantee the meaningful life.

Keywords

References

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