Abstract
Introduction: Spinal surgical procedures are associated with significant morbidity. It is vital the patients are aware of the potential complications and the implications. The General Medical Council published guidelines regarding consent in June 2008.
Aim: To examine the adequacy for consenting for spinal surgical procedures and focussing on documentation of serious risks.
Methods: Case notes of seventy consecutive patients who had undergone spinal surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The consent forms were examined for documented procedures, complications, grade of the consenting member and timing of the consent.
Results: The documented procedure on the consent form and the operation sheet matched in all seventy cases (100%). Consent was taken by the consultant in 50% of the patients, 30% were consented by middle grade doctors and 20% were consented by the junior doctor. The consenting person was present at the procedure in 63% of the cases. Sixty percent (60%) of the patients were consented in the pre-admission clinic, 23% were consented on the day before the procedure and 17% were consented on the day of the procedure. Common and serious complications such as infection (84%), bleeding (76%), pain (67%), bladder and bowel problems (84%), paralysis (70%) and nerve root damage (67%) were clearly documented.
Conclusion: Two-thirds of the patients are given adequate information to obtain informed consent in the pre-admission clinic. Majority of the patients are aware of the common and the serious risks associated prior to the procedure.
Interests: None
Ethics approval: None
Correspondence should be addressed to BASS/BCSS c/o BOA, at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE, England.
