A Medicolegal Consideration on Persistent Vegetative State in Korea

Kim, Jang Han; Lee, Jung Bin; Lee, Yoon Seong

Abstract

This treatise summarizes the medical facts about the persistent vegetative state(PVS) and the associated issues. In August 1998, the opinions of the 380 neurologists and the 1007 neurosurgeons are inquired about the diagnostic criteria of PVS, the degree and the withdrawal of treatment on PVS patients. The response rate is 18.8%. The diagnostic criteria of PVS is determined by the items approved above 5007o of responses. (1) no evidence of cerebral function and an inability to interact with visual, auditory stimuli and follow commands. (2) maintaining the respiratory function with spontaneous respiration and normal respiratory pattern. (3) spontaneous eye opening and eye ball movements without sustained tracking. (4) variably preserved brain stem reflexes. (5) presence of sleep-wake cycles. (6) (1)-(5) symptoms should be persist for 6 months after the development of vegetative state. (7) the diagnostic criteria of PVS should be applied more than 3 times during the minimum observation period. (8) this diagnostic criteria of PVS could be applied to adults over 7 ages. As to the degree of treatment, nasogastric tube feeding and air-way keeping through the tracheostomy are approved over 9007b. Also antibiotics can be used in infection. As to the withdrawal of treatment, do not resuscitate order of patient s family is accepted by 46.1% in an emergency condition like cardiac arrest. But discharge against medical advice by the patient s family is accepted by 73.107o in non-emergency condition. In the case of neonates, parents decision is more determinative than any other thing.