J Korean Soc Transplant.  2008 Dec;22(2):271-273.

Transfusion Free Kidney Transplantation in Jehovah's Witness Patients

• Na HH
• Kim MC
• Kim SW
• Ku BI
• Koh HI

Abstract

Transfusion free surgery is of increasing interest as more patients are refusing a blood transfusion because of religious belief, infection or fear of a blood-transmitted disease such as AIDS. Patients of the Jehovah's Witness faith generally do not accept transfusions of blood or blood products but some will accept cadaveric organs for transplantation. Recently, it is possible to perform 'bloodless' autologous or reduced-intensity allogeneic transplants in properly selected patients. The success of these procedures depends on the transplantation technique and on meticulous attention to blood conservation and supportive care. In our center, nine Jehovah's Witness received a kidney transplantations and transfusion free surgery. All the patients received erythropoietin injection and iron supplement before kidney transplantation. They were not serious bleeding in surgery and graft dysfunction after surgery. All the recipients are alive and have well functioning grafts. Elective living donor kidney transplantation allows implementation of a transfusion free strategy. We think that various methods replaced blood transfusion reduced risk of postoperative anemia and unnecessary transfusion.

Keyword

Jehovah's Witness; Transfusion free surgery; Kidney transplantation

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Blood Transfusion
Bloodless Medical and Surgical Procedures
Cadaver
Erythropoietin
Hemorrhage
Humans
Iron
Kidney
Kidney Transplantation
Living Donors
Religion
Transplants
Wit and Humor as Topic
Erythropoietin
Iron