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Informed Consent in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Author(s) -
Wolf Jeffrey S.,
Malekzadeh Sonya,
Berry Julie A.,
O'Malley Bert W.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-200205000-00002
Subject(s) - informed consent , otorhinolaryngology , medicine , functional endoscopic sinus surgery , incidence (geometry) , complication , surgery , general surgery , family medicine , sinusitis , alternative medicine , pathology , physics , optics
Objectives Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is one of the more common procedures performed by otolaryngologists. Before performing FESS, surgeons are obligated to discuss the procedure and its risks through the process of informed patient consent. The study identifies current practices in informed consent for FESS and formulates guidelines for informed consent for FESS. Study Design Survey. Methods Surveys were sent to 1000 American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery members in the United States. Surveys inquired about current informed consent practices related to FESS. Results Three hundred forty‐six surveys were returned. Nearly 60% of respondents thought that 1% incidence of a complication warrants a discussion with patients. The percentage of respondents who discuss specific risks were as follows: bleeding, 96.7%; infection, 84.8%; cerebrospinal fluid leak, 99.1%; orbital injury, 96.7%; smell changes, 40.2%; cerebrovascular accident, 17.9%; myocardial infarction, 8%; and death, 28.0%. Conclusions The study suggests that there is variability in specific informed consent practices for FESS among otolaryngologists. It also suggests that the incidence or severity of a complication does not necessarily correlate with whether or not it is mentioned during the informed consent process. The authors think that practicing otolaryngologists may be able to use this information to improve their consent practices.