• Samuel Abraham Joseph, Ketevan Berekashvili, Marjorie M Mariller, Michael Rivlin, Krishn Sharma, Andrew Casden, Fabian Bitan, Paul Kuflik, and Michael Neuwirth.
• Moreno Spine and Scoliosis, Safety Harbor, FL 34695, USA. sjmdbones@ yahoo.com
• Spine. 2008 Oct 1;33(21):2310-5.

Study DesignA retrospective review.ObjectiveTo review the effectiveness of blood conservation techniques in the spinal fusion of patients that refuse blood transfusion; specifically the Jehovah's witnesses population.Summary Of BackgroundSpinal surgery can be challenging in patients refusing blood transfusion. There is paucity in the literature examining blood conservation techniques in spinal surgery.MethodsThe radiographic and medical records of 19 Jehovah's witnesses patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery at a single institution between 2000 and 2003 were reviewed. Patients were assessed for excessive blood loss (EBL), deformity correction, operative time, perioperative complications, and hospital stay. At latest follow-up (mean, 40 months; range, 8-76) the patients were examined for radiographic fusion, progression and complications.ResultsSpinal fusion was attempted in 19 patients, with a mean age of 17 years (range, 10-36 years). All 19 patients were identified through the "Bloodless Surgery Program." Hypotensive anesthesia, hemodilution, and cell saver was employed for all 19 cases. Erythropoietin with supplemental iron was used in 15 patients. Aprotinin was used in 3 patients. EBL and blood returned by cell saver averaged 855 and 341 mL, respectively. Operative times average 315 minutes. The average drop in hemoglobin from after surgery was 3.1 g/dL. There were 2 intraoperative complications: (i) transient loss of somatosensory evoked potential/motor evoked potential signals; and (ii) one surgery abandoned due to EBL. The average spinal deformity correction was 58%. There were 3 postoperative complications, none related to their refusal of a transfusion. 17 patients were available for radiographic and clinic follow-up of at least 24 months. All displayed radiographic fusion without progression.ConclusionThese blood conservation techniques allow satisfactory completion of deformity surgery on those patients not willing to be transfused and without major anesthetic or medical complications.

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