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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Heterotopic Renal Autotransplantation in a Porcine Model: A Step-by-Step Protocol
Published on: February 21, 2016
Kidney and pancreas transplants in Jehovah's witnesses: ethical and practical implications
U Boggi1, F Vistoli, M Del Chiaro
1Divisione di Chirurgia Generale e Trapianti, Dipartimento di Oncologia, Trapianti e Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina, Pisa, Italy.
Abstract:
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions but accept solid organ transplants. Six Jehovah's Witnesses received a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant in our center. After a mean follow-up of 31.4 months (range: 18 to 39) all the recipients are alive and well with functioning grafts. However, 1 month after grafting, one recipient required blood transfusions. Hemorrhage was ruled out and the anemia was attributed to drug-related toxicity. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses can receive a kidney and/or a pancreas transplant without blood transfusions at the time of surgery. However, lifesaving transfusions may be needed later on, which raises additional and unique medical and ethical issues.
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