Gynaecological surgery of Jehovah's Witnesses

Objective: To present experience with surgical treatment of various gynaecological diseases in patients belonging to the Church of Jehova's Witness. Designe: Retrospective study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Palacky University Olomouc, Institute of Health Care Studies, Faculty of Humanity Studies, Thomas Bata University, Zlín. Methods and results: The study included 24 patients belonging to the Church of Jehova's Witness who reject blood tranfusion. The operations in these patients were performed for malignant as well as nonmalignant gynaecological disorders which could not be treated by conservative therapeutic procedures. The operation records were analysed and evaluated according to a set of criteria including the type of surgical procedure, estimated amount of blood loss, postoperative complications and the outcome of surgical treatment. Conclusion: Jehovas's Witnesses represent a risk group of patients considering their refusal of blood transfusion. The indication for the operation and its performing is responsible decision which always inherits a certain degrese of risk. On the other hand, when adhering to the principles of bloodless surgery, the therapeutic results are very good and in the properly indicated cases the scope of risk is acceptable