J Korean Neurosurg Soc.
2007 Aug;42(2):135-140.
Deciding not to Operate in Head Injuries and Legal Considerations
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University, Chonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea. ksleens@hotmail.com
Abstract
- 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.
