Abstract
Prior to agreeing to a recommendation for thyroid surgery, the patient should be made aware of the indications for operation and its implications, risks, and potential complications. When the outcome from surgery is not as planned, be reassured that litigation after thyroidectomy is uncommon, and if appropriate decision-making took place before, during, and after operation, it is unlikely to succeed.
To err is human, to cover up is unforgivable and to fail to learn is inexcusable.
Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England 2004
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Further Reading
Acting as an expert witness – Guidance for doctors. www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/expert_witness_guidance.asp.
Sokol DK. How can I avoid being sued? BMJ. 2011;343:d7827.
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Harrison, B. (2014). Consent and Litigation in Thyroid Surgery. In: Watkinson, J., Scott-Coombes, D. (eds) Tips and Tricks in Endocrine Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2146-6_30
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2146-6_30
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