Informed Consent for Anterior Lumbar Access Surgery

Informed Consent for Anterior Lumbar Access Surgery
Book Chapter
Steven E. Raper
Lumbar Spine Access Surgery, 21 February 2024 [Springer]
Abstract
Informed consent is a keystone of the surgeon-patient relationship rooted in the ethical principles of autonomy and beneficence. Many stakeholders (e.g., healthcare institutions, legislators, the courts, state and federal regulators, and professional societies) contribute to an informed consent process in constant evolution. Informed consent also remains important for patients undergoing spine access and spine surgery. Many of the material risks have been identified. Patients need to be told if their surgery will overlap with that of another. Medical malpractice lawsuits often allege lack of consent against neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who perform spine surgery. Novel approaches are ongoing in the effort to improve the process of informed consent. Elements of social justice should be considered in spine access and spinal operations to ensure all patients can give fully informed consent. This chapter will touch upon all these elements of the informed consent process.