ETHICAL ISSUES OF CONSENT IN SURGICAL PRACTICE

Abstract

Introduction: Informed consent, a legal obligation in France since Kouchner law, have
made the patient an actor in his own care by actively participating in medical decision
making concerning him. The main objective of this study was to determine ethical
issues of informed consent in Bricker type definitive external urinary diversion surgery,

Methodology: We designed a descriptive and analytical qualitative prospective study
in order to describe ethical issues of informed consent in surgery by definitive external
urinary diversion of the Bricker type carried out in urology department of Paris region
hospital.

Discussion: The advent of the obligatory nature of consent most often raises ethical
and legal conflicts between the doctor and the patient. The resolution of these conflicts
is not easy because of the ethical obligation of the doctor and the patient’s right to
preserve his autonomy.

Conclusion: Informed consent is an issue for health professionals, especially those
involved in the management of Bricker-type urinary diversion. In order to solve legal
and ethical problems involving patient’s right and physician deontology, the patient’s
interest must be prior considered.