Navigating medical treatments can feel overwhelming, especially when surgery is recommended.
While surgery is a life-saving intervention in many situations, not all surgeries are necessary. In fact, approximately, 7.5 million medically unnecessary surgeries are performed annually, according to CBS News.
Understanding the potential for unnecessary procedures and knowing the warning signs can empower you to make informed medical decisions. This article delves into patient safety tips about unnecessary surgery, red flags, examples, consequences, and contributing factors.
Incomplete Informed Consent
True informed consent goes beyond simply signing a form. You have the right to a comprehensive explanation, including:
- Potential benefits (of the surgery)
- All associated risks (both common and rare)
- Alternative treatment options (including non-surgical approaches)
- Possible outcomes if you elect not to have surgery
You should fully understand the procedure and its implications to avoid post-surgery diagnosis discrepancies. If you discover the initial diagnosis was incorrect after surgery, you may have received a flawed pre-operative assessment.
Lack of Proper Pre-Operative Testing
Essential diagnostic procedures should be conducted before surgery. These include:
- Imaging scans (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Blood tests
- Other evaluations specific to your condition
These tests help confirm the diagnosis and guide an appropriate surgical approach. Rushing into surgery without adequate pre-operative testing is a cause for concern.
Poor Surgical Results
Pay attention to the following post-surgery outcomes:
- Experiencing unexpected complications
- A worsening of your condition
- No improvement after surgery
Despite the surgeon’s initial expectations, these outcomes may indicate that the procedure was not the appropriate treatment. A pattern of poor outcomes should be investigated.
Take note of egregious errors and clear signs of negligence. They highlight the importance of meticulous protocols and double-checking procedures.
Failure to Consider Alternatives
Be cautious if your surgeon seems unusually insistent on surgery. Less invasive options should be thoroughly discussed. While most doctors act ethically, the fee-for-service model can sometimes create perverse incentives.
A responsible surgeon will explore all viable treatment options before recommending surgery.
Non-surgical approaches include:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Minimally invasive procedures
These options should be thoroughly discussed and considered.
Common Surgeries That May Not Always Be Necessary
While these surgeries can be crucial for certain patients, they may be performed without sufficient justification:
While life-saving, studies have indicated that a significant number of elective stenting (Angioplasty) procedures for stable angina (chest pain) may not be more effective than medication and lifestyle changes.
While essential for significant heart rhythm problems, pacemakers may be implanted in patients whose heart function is otherwise adequate and whose symptoms might be managed through other means.
Despite being a common treatment for chronic pain, research suggests that a large proportion of back surgeries don’t significantly improve function (or reduce pain) compared to non-surgical treatments.
While highly effective for severe osteoarthritis, joint replacements may be performed prematurely in some cases.
Alternatives include:
- Physical therapy
- Injections
- Pain medication
Hysterectomies (uterus removal) are necessary for certain conditions like uterine cancer or severe fibroids. However, studies suggest that a considerable number of hysterectomies are performed for conditions that could be managed with less invasive treatments.
While recommended for symptomatic gallstones, some individuals may have minimal symptoms or have conditions that could be managed without a cholecystectomy.
The rate of Cesarean sections is rising beyond the World Health Organization’s recommendations. This data suggests that some may be performed without strict medical necessity.
Tonsillectomies (tonsil removal) is a common procedure in children. However, recommending this procedure for frequent sore throats may not provide significant long-term benefits.
Unnecessary Surgeries Resulting from Cancer Misdiagnosis
The emotional and physical toll of a cancer diagnosis is immense. Unfortunately, errors in diagnosis can lead to unnecessary and invasive surgical procedures. For example, there are cases where kidney surgery was performed based on a cancer misdiagnosis.
For some early-stage breast cancers, such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), active surveillance or less invasive treatments like lumpectomy (followed by radiation) may be appropriate over radical mastectomy.
Patients with specific low-grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors may not require pancreatic surgery. Regular monitoring could be a viable alternative.
Factors Contributing to Unnecessary Surgeries
Overdiagnosis occurs when medical imaging or screening tests detect abnormalities that would never have caused symptoms or become life-threatening conditions.
False-positive screenings can also lead to potentially unnecessary surgeries.
Ensure these cancer screening tests are correct: CA19-9 for pancreatic cancer and CA125 for ovarian cancer.
Take note of:
- Rushed consultations
- Failure to thoroughly review medical history
- Lack of comprehensive diagnostic workup
- Recommendations without an understanding of risk factors
Genetic testing can be valuable. However, interpreting results without considering a complete family history and clinical picture can sometimes lead to an overestimation of risk.
Failing to accurately assess a patient’s risk profile can also result in overtreatment for low-risk individuals.
The Potential Consequences of Unnecessary Surgery
All procedures carry inherent surgery risks, including:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Nerve damage
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Unnecessary procedures can also lead to frustration, anger, and even depression; this is especially true if the outcome is not as expected or if complications arise.
The recovery process can also be emotionally taxing.
Unnecessary surgeries increase healthcare costs. Patients bear the burden of these expenses through insurance premiums, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs.
Inform Your Decisions With Surgical Procedure Awareness
Being an informed and proactive patient can help you avoid surgery pitfalls.
Don’t hesitate to ask the following:
- Why is surgery being recommended?
- What are the alternatives?
- What are the risks and benefits of each option?
- What is the long-term outlook with and without surgery?
Educate yourself about your medical condition and available treatment options from reputable sources. Unless it’s an emergency, don’t feel pressured to make a quick decision about surgery. Take the time you need to gather information and consider your options.
Empower Yourself
Understand the potential for unnecessary surgery, recognize the red flags, and actively participate in your healthcare decisions.
Do you believe you or a loved one has experienced medical malpractice or a cancer misdiagnosis? Let the team at Cummings Law advocate for your healthcare rights. We’ll review your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our partners bring over 25 years of experience to Nashville. We’re board-certified in medical malpractice law. We’ve even been selected by U.S. Business News as the “Best Medical Malpractice firm in the Southern United States.”
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Posted in: Medical Malpractice
