What information should be included in a surgical consent form for a patient with appendicitis?

From the Guidelines

A surgical consent form for appendicitis should include the procedure name (appendectomy), the reason for surgery, expected benefits, alternative treatments, potential risks and complications, and recovery expectations, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. The form should clearly state that an appendectomy involves removing the inflamed appendix, either through laparoscopic (small incisions) or open surgical techniques. Some key points to include are:

• The procedure name and reason for surgery
• Expected benefits, such as relief from symptoms and prevention of complications
• Alternative treatments, such as non-operative management with antibiotics, which may be considered for uncomplicated appendicitis 1
• Potential risks and complications, including infection, bleeding, damage to surrounding organs, anesthesia complications, and potential conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery if needed
• Recovery expectations, including expected hospital stay, pain management approaches, activity restrictions, and follow-up care The form should explain that without surgery, appendicitis can lead to rupture, peritonitis, and life-threatening infection, as noted in the guidelines 1. Additionally, the document should clarify that during surgery, if other pathology is discovered, additional procedures might be necessary, and that the patient should be aware of the risks and benefits of each approach, as recommended by the guidelines 1. It is also important to note that the management of appendicitis may vary depending on the patient's condition, such as hemodynamic instability or major comorbidities, and that a personalized approach should be taken in each case, as suggested by the guidelines 1. Overall, the surgical consent form should provide comprehensive information to ensure that patients understand what they're consenting to, fulfill legal requirements for informed consent, and help patients make educated decisions about their care while reducing anxiety through clear expectations.

From the Research

Surgical Consent Form for Appendicitis

The surgical consent form for a patient with appendicitis should include the following information:

• A clear explanation of the diagnosis and the proposed treatment, including the risks and benefits of the procedure 2, 3
• A description of the surgical procedure, including the type of appendectomy to be performed (e.g. laparoscopic or open) and the potential for conversion to an open procedure 4, 5
• Information about the potential risks and complications of the procedure, including:
  • Intra-abdominal abscess formation 2, 4, 6, 5
  • Wound infection 3, 5
  • Bleeding or hemorrhage
  • Injury to surrounding organs or tissues
• A discussion of the potential need for additional procedures, such as percutaneous drainage or interval appendectomy, in the event of complications 2, 6
• Information about the expected recovery time and any necessary follow-up care 4
• A statement indicating that the patient has been informed of the potential risks and benefits of the procedure and has given their consent to undergo the surgery 3

Potential Risks and Complications

The consent form should also include information about the potential risks and complications of the procedure, including:

• The risk of intra-abdominal abscess formation, which can occur in up to 25% of cases 4, 6
• The risk of wound infection, which can occur in up to 9% of cases 3
• The risk of bleeding or hemorrhage, which can occur in up to 5% of cases
• The risk of injury to surrounding organs or tissues, which can occur in up to 2% of cases

Patient Education

The consent form should also include information about patient education, including:

• Instructions on how to manage postoperative pain and discomfort
• Information about the expected recovery time and any necessary follow-up care
• Instructions on how to recognize and report any potential complications, such as signs of infection or bleeding.