Salvage for postpartum massive haemorrhage in a jehovah's witness with intravenous iron therapy and cell saver system

Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) system performs autologous transfusion by filtering and reinfusing the shed blood into corporeal circulation during the surgery. Especially for pregnant Jehovah's Witnesses, the ICS system could be a life-saving intervention. This report describes the successful use of intravenous iron therapy and ICS during the cesarean delivery of a Jehovah's Witness diagnosed with placenta previa totalis who refused to receive any type of blood or blood product transfusion. Intravenous iron treatment initiated in the preoperative period can reduce the need for blood and blood product transfusion. The ICS system provides recognised advantages; however, its utilisation requires high technology equipment and skilled health staff. (author)