Transfusion Requirements in Microsurgical Reconstruction in Maxillofacial Surgery: Ethical and Legal Problems of Patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses

Abstract

Objective To study transfusion requirements in patients with cancer undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgery and to discuss surgical and anesthetic strategies to reduce blood loss when the patient is a Jehovah's Witness. Material and Methods A descriptive study to expose the percentage of blood transfusions performed in patients with cancer undergoing microsurgical reconstructions in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery of the referred hospital in the past 9 years. Results Two hundred thirty-seven microsurgical reconstructions were performed in head and neck tumors between January 2001 and December 2009. Statistical analysis shows a significant decrease ( p = 0.035) in the number of patients needing transfusions patients in recent years. Conclusions The treatment of patients who are Jehovah's Witnesses is an ethical and moral dilemma for the clinician and in particular for surgeons.