Consenting Adult

The surgery coordinator asked me regarding my upcoming abdominal myomectomy, “What side is your fibroid on? The reason I need to know is that if your fibroid is attached to your ovary, we need you to consent to have the ovary on that side removed.” Oh trust me, it’s not attached. In fact, sometimes it acts like it’s not attached to anything.

PROCEDURE: EXPLORATORY LAPAROTOMY

Your doctor has determined that you may have a disease or abnormality inside your belly which may be life-threatening if not treated. In your case, it is impossible to tell exactly what the trouble is without actually seeing the abnormality and possibly taking a sample of the suspected abnormal tissue for further examination. An exploratory laparotomy is an operation in which the doctor makes a surgical “cut” in the belly. Sometimes this operation is done to make sure that no disease or abnormality exists. If the doctor finds that a disease or abnormality exists which should immediately be corrected, then this corrective surgery will be performed. If no disease is found, or if the doctor doesn’t feel that corrective surgery should be done immediately, then he will just close up the surgical cut. The risk of the operation depends on the amount of surgery that is performed. If major corrective surgery is done the risk will be greater than if no corrective surgery is done. It is possible that this operation will not help you. It is even possible that you will be worse after the operation than you are right now. Because of these facts, your doctor can make no guarantee as to the result that might be obtained from this operation.

Complications from exploratory surgery on the belly without any corrective surgery are infrequent, but they do occur. As with any surgical procedure, complications from bleeding and infection can occur. These complications can result in prolonged illness, the need for blood transfusions, poor healing wounds, scarring, and the need for further operations. Other uncommon complications of this operation are:

• Damage to the intestines
• Blocked bowels
• Hernia or “rupture” at the site of the surgical cut
• Heart attacks
• Blood clots on the lungs
• Pneumonia

Some of the complications of exploratory surgery of the belly may require further surgery; some can cause permanent deformity; and rarely, some can even be fatal. Furthermore, there may be alternative therapeutic or diagnostic methods available to you in addition to exploratory surgery. These alternative methods carry their own risks of complications and have a varying degree of success. Therefore, in those patients in whom exploratory surgery of the belly is indicated, the operation provides the patient with the best chance of successful treatment and the lowest risk of complications.

I CERTIFY: I have read or had read to me the contents of this form; I understand the risks and alternatives involved in this procedure; I have had the opportunity to ask any questions which I had and all of my questions have been answered.

Yeah, yeah, I know all that – but still, what a yucky form to sign.