Posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in a Jehovah's Witness.
Haya AlKhalifa, Nitin Adsul, Stewart Prestwich et al.
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Case in brief
An adolescent Jehovah's Witness with Lenke type 6C+ adolescent idiopathic scoliosis underwent a 5-6 hour posterior spinal fusion without allogeneic blood transfusion. The patient utilized intraoperative autologous cell salvage and topical haemostatic agents, supported by a multimodal blood-conservation protocol. The procedure was completed safely, demonstrating effective management in a challenging clinical scenario.
What made this case unusual
This case is notable for successfully performing spinal fusion in a Jehovah's Witness patient, emphasizing the use of a comprehensive blood conservation strategy.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider structured blood conservation protocols, including autologous cell salvage and tranexamic acid, when managing surgical patients who refuse blood transfusions.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of ethical considerations and tailored surgical approaches in patients with specific religious beliefs, contributing to the literature on managing complex surgical cases.