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Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2007;42(2): 135-140. |
| Deciding not to Operate in Head Injuries and Legal Considerations. |
| Il Choi, Kyeong Seok Lee, Jai Joon Shim, Weon Rim Choi |
| Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University, Chonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea. ksleens@hotmail.com |
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| ABSTRACT |
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It is not the best way to treat a hopeless patient with life-sustaining medical devices until the heart beats stop.
Advanced medical technology may prolong the life for a significant period without recovery from the disease.
However, it would give an unbearable economic burden to the family and the society. In 2006, we decided not to operate 9 patients with traumatic intracranial hematomas. We examined those patients with special references to possible legal and ethical problems. It is reasonable to withhold a treatment after documentation that the family never wants any life sustaining treatment when the treatment does not guarantee the meaningful life. |
| Key Words:
Withholding treatment; Decision making; Resuscitation orders; Legislation and jurisprudence; Medical futility; Craniocerebral trauma |
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