Tanzania
Research Article
Surgical Management of Scoliosis in Jehovah’s Witness Patients: One Institution’s Experience
Author(s): Jane S. Hoashi, Olubusola Brimmo, Joel Kolmodin, David P. Gurd, Thomas E. Kuivila and Ryan C. GoodwinJane S. Hoashi, Olubusola Brimmo, Joel Kolmodin, David P. Gurd, Thomas E. Kuivila and Ryan C. Goodwin
Introduction: Blood loss is a major cause of morbidity in scoliosis surgery. Jehovah’s Witnesses pose a unique challenge, as their religious convictions restrict them from receiving blood products. There is a paucity of literature regarding blood conservation protocols in pediatric Jehovah’s Witness patients undergoing scoliosis surgery. Methods: Ten consecutive Jehovah’s Witness patients under 21 years of age, who underwent posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis between 1995 and 2013, were retrospectively evaluated. Medical charts were used to assess curve type and magnitude, blood conservation techniques used, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), hemoglobin levels and postoperative complications. Results: Diagnoses included 5 idiopathic, 3 syndromic, and 2 neuromuscular scoliosis. An average of 11.5 levels were fused with 58% curve correction. The mean operat.. Read More»
DOI:
10.4172/2165-7939.1000223
Journal of Spine received 2022 citations as per Google Scholar report