When I was an Asst Prof of Urology in Govt Salem GH, a senior urologist colleague 'S' related this story. He had a pt at his clinic with right RCC(Kidney cancer-a killer cancer,RCC is the most lethal of all uro cancers). Dr S decided to proceed with Rt Partial nephrectomy (contd)
He decided to do partial nephrectomy (removal of part of the rt kidney only,around half of it),after a careful study of pre-op images(mainly CT).While at surgery,
he noticed that the cancer was much larger than anticipated and d only way to save the pt's life was 2 remove(contd)
he noticed that the cancer was much larger than anticipated and d only way to save the pt's life was 2 remove(contd)
the entire kidney. Without hesitating,he proceeded to remove the entire right kidney, in order to save the pt from certain death. Post-op, d pt recovered fully and Dr S told him that he had removed d entire right kidney, since that was d only chance to save his (pt's) life.(cont)
The pt actually fell at the feet of Dr S & profusely thanked him for Rx. One day, while S was reading a newspaper at his home, he received an advocate's notice asking for damages from this pt. Written consent had been obtained only for removal of around half the rt kidney.(Contd)
But Dr S had removed d entire Right Kidney. The pt demanded several lakhs, for removing his Right Kidney without consent.Dr S immediately drove to the pt's house& explained how he had actually saved his life by expertly performing a difficult surgery. The earlier smiling pt(cont)
was not smiling now. He had sensed an opportunity to grab money from the 'rich doctor'. Shylock wanted his pound of flesh now, which he was entitled to. He stood his ground & S settled the case out of court fr a few lakh rs. Dr S, died a few months later, a broken man.
Moral; D Written Consent is to be treated as d most important part of the surgery. Add all expected complications (including death if there is a possibility) in the consent form & get the pt's signature on it along with 2 close witnesses. The smiling obedient pt is often d worst.
@threadreaderapp pls unroll.
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