Ethical challenges in high-risk innovative surgery

Abstract

The fields of surgery and anesthesia have storied histories with advances in care fueled by innovation by creative individuals striving to improve the care of their patients. Ethical dilemmas arise when contemplating how to allow innovation to continue for the benefit of future patients while mitigating harm to current patients. In this chapter, we explore ethical issues in high-risk innovative surgery from the perspectives of the key stakeholders: the surgeon, the patient, the anesthesiologist, the medical device industry, and other members of the healthcare team.