[Informed consent and surgical treatment in a 38-year-old female, Jehovah's witness with lung cancer].

A 38-year-old female was found to have abnormal lesion in the left lower lung by chest X-ray examination which was done for her periodical health examination in March, 1997. She was referred to our Institution for operation of the pulmonary lesion by her family physician. The pathology was reported to be adenocarcinoma by the preoperative bronchofiberscopy. As she was Jehovah's witness, she refused to receive either homologous or autologous blood transfusion on the ground of her faith. Prior to the operation, the consultation was held together with the patient, family and doctors in reference to the informed consent. In June, 1997, she had left lower lobectomy without blood transfusion. Postoperative course was uneventful. The problems of surgical treatment in Jehovah's witness rejected blood transfusion are discussed.