BLOOD SAVING IN A BURN VICTIM (JEHOVAH-WI TNESSES)

The treatment rationale of a burn victim (35% TBSA) who was child of J ehova's witnesses is described. Following a combined approach includin g erythropoetin and blood saving surgical techniques we were able to e xcise and graft the burn areas without blood transfusion. An extremely low hemoglobin of 3.4 g/dl was tolerated postoperatively and showed a n increase to 10.9 g/dl 25 days later when the child was dismissed fro m the burn unit in stable condition. Possibilities to minimize blood l oss and to avoid blood transfusions are discussed.