What is Consent?
Before doing any kind of medical or surgical procedure, the patient and his relatives are informed about the type of intervention that is going to be done. Written documentation of the method is done along with its importance and the consequences that would happen if that particular surgery is not performed. As all medical procedures carry a risk of complications, therefore, it is necessary to tell the patients about them.
After getting it in black and white, it is then signed by the patient or his guardian/ relative. This is called informed consent. It is the most important thing done before doing any medical or surgical procedure because patients have the right to know what is going to be done to their body, without it, if any complication occurs it has medico-legal implications against the doctor and hospital administration.
What is Appendicitis?
The appendix is a vestigial organ that is present on the right side of the lower abdomen. It is attached to the gut and is nonfunctional. Due to some reasons, it may get inflamed which causes pain, fever, and vomiting. This is known as acute appendicitis.
It most commonly occurs in children. In cases like that, it needs to be operated and removed. Otherwise, it may lead to serious complications, like appendicular mass, appendicular abscess, and ruptured appendix which may be life-threatening.
It is a clinical diagnosis; however, a complete blood count and ultrasound abdomen are commonly advised investigations. Blood transfusions are usually not required. After taking consent, patients are operated on in the emergency room.
How is Appendectomy Performed?
Appendectomy is the surgical procedure done to remove an appendix. It is done under anesthesia and a small incision is made to remove it. The surgery lasts about half an hour and the patient can be discharged the next day if there are no complications. Stitches are removed after ten days.
It is a simple procedure done by many general surgeons worldwide. There is minimal or no blood loss during the operation. Patients are able to return to normal activities in a couple of weeks’ time.
Constituents of Appendectomy Consent Form
- Introduction of the patient: name, age, sex, father’s name, hospital registration number, and bed/ward number.
- A brief history of the patient, findings of clinical examination, and investigations.
- The blood group of the patient.
- Drug history and allergies if any.
- Surgical consent: Comprehensive description of the surgical procedure including its duration and method. Alternative surgery to be performed if any. Result of the surgery and any post-operative disabilities or limitations.
- Post-operative requirements, second surgery if needed, and when
- Recovery, privacy, and follow-up.
- High-risk consent is obtained whenever there is a risk of intraoperative or postoperative death of the patient.
- Anesthesia consent: advantages and disadvantages of various types of anesthesia and both short and long-term effects of anesthetic drugs.
- Full name and signature of the patient or relative in case of minors.
