Abstract
Elective amputation and prosthetic reconstruction of a nonfunctional limb provide a treatment strategy in cases where other medical interventions failed to achieve functional improvements. Since this is an irreversible, life-changing event, the process of decision-making before the procedure is a key element in ethical action. The intervention is only considered if the medical and psychological status of the patient indicates it and the patient himself expresses the desire to undergo bionic reconstruction. To allow an informed decision of the patient, clinicians need to clearly communicate the current clinical situation and give realistic expectations of different treatment options. Additional psychological evaluation and a waiting period allow the patient to reflect his considerations for undergoing amputation and provide the psychologist with valuable information about possible contraindication. While psychological counseling usually ends with a final session after the elective amputation, it can be restarted in case of psychosocial problems.
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Pittermann, A., Hruby, L.A., Sturma, A., Aszmann, O.C. (2021). Ethical Considerations and Psychological Evaluation in Elective Amputation for Brachial Plexus Injuries. In: Aszmann, O.C., Farina, D. (eds) Bionic Limb Reconstruction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60746-3_19
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