Quality Alternatives to Transfusion - Continue with HOW CAN DOCTORS HELP?

The conscience of some Witnesses permits them to accept organ transplants if done without blood. A report of 13 kidney transplants concluded:  "The overall results suggest that real transplantation can be safely and efficaciously applied to  most Jehovah's Witnesses."  (Transplantation, June 1988) Likewise, refusal of blood has not stood in the way even of successful heart transplants.

What about bloodless surgery of other types?  You may wonder.  Medical Hotline (April/May 1983) Told of surgery on "Jehovah's Witnesses who underwent major gynecological and obstetric operations [at Wayne State University, U.S.A.] without blood transfusions."  The newsletter reported: "There were no more deaths and complications than in women who had undergone similar operations with blood transfusions."  The newsletter then commented:  "The results of this study may warrant a fresh look at the use of blood for all women undergoing obstetric and gynecological operations." 

At the hospital of Gottingen University (Germany), 30 patients who declined blood underwent general surgery."  No complications arose that could not also have arisen with  patients who accept blood transfusions. . . . That recourse to a transfusion is not possible should  not be overrated, and thus should not lead to refraining from an operation that is necessary and surgically justifiable." -Risiko in der Chirurgie, 1987.

Even brain surgery without using blood has been done on numerous adults and children, for instance, at New York Medical Center.  In 1989 Dr. Joseph Ransohoff, head of neurosurgery, wrote:  "It is very clear that in most instances avoidance of blood products can be achieved with minimal risks in patients who have religious  tenets against the use of these products, particularly if surgery can be carried  out expeditiously and with a relatively short operative period.  Of considerable interest is the fact that I often forget that the patient is a Witness until at the time of discharge when they thank me for having respected their religious beliefs."

Next time: Quality Alternatives to Transfusion - Conclusion of HOW CAN DOCTORS HELP?

From the jw.org publications