Intraoperative cell salvage during radical prostatectomy: a safe technique for Jehovah's Witnesses

Radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) is an operation historically associated with the potential for significant blood loss. Patients who refuse a blood transfusion, such as Jehovah's witnesses, may be only offered radiation therapy as potentially curative treatment for prostate cancer because of the potential for a transfusion. Intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) is an effective blood management strategy for patients who are not willing to accept predonated autologous or allergenic blood. We present our management for Jehovah's Witness patients with clinically localized prostate cancer, emphasizing our blood management approach. This is the first such report.