Do Surgeons Perform Surgery on Patients Without a Diagnosis?

Surgical procedures are often the outcome of a thorough diagnostic process, but there are instances where a surgeon may be called upon to operate on a patient they have not personally diagnosed or interacted with beforehand. These scenarios, although not common, can arise in specific emergency or urgent care situations.

Emergency Situations

During critical emergencies, such as traumatic injuries or acute medical conditions, a surgeon might be required to perform an urgent surgical intervention without prior interaction or diagnosis. These conditions demand immediate action and rely heavily on the information provided by emergency medical personnel, medical records, and the immediate condition of the patient.

Consultations and Referrals

Surgeons often depend on the assessments made by other healthcare professionals, such as primary care physicians or specialists. In these cases, a patient may be referred for surgical intervention after a diagnostic evaluation by another medical professional. The surgeon typically reviews the patient's medical history and diagnostic tests before proceeding with the surgery. This ensures that the surgical procedure is appropriate and that all necessary information is considered, even if the surgeon hasn't personally diagnosed the patient.

Surgeon Availability

In certain urgent care settings, if a specific surgeon is on-call and is the only one available, they might perform surgery on a patient they have not seen before. This can occur in critical situations where time is of the essence and the availability of a specific surgeon is crucial.

Anecdotal Account: Assisting During Surgery

I once found myself in a situation where a colleague was struggling to remove an ovarian cyst laparoscopically. She recognized her lack of skill and called for assistance. I had not met the patient, but I completed the surgery for her. This example illustrates a common scenario where expertise and trust between colleagues are paramount.

Rare Decisions to Operate

In some rare instances, OB/GYN physicians make quick decisions to perform surgery based on information provided by other healthcare professionals. For example, if a fetal heart rate is dangerously low, an experienced labor nurse might identify a serious condition like a prolapsed umbilical cord. In such cases, the surgeon may trust the nurse's assessment and proceed to the operating room without meeting the patient first.

Emergency and Unexpected Surgical Scenarios

A unique and uncommon situation might involve a surgeon who is unexpectedly unable to perform surgery due to medical issues such as injury, intoxication, or medical instability. For instance, during a brief pause between procedures, a surgical instrument representative accidentally cut my finger. Urgently needing medical attention, I required sutures and a splint. I asked an upcoming patient to allow my trusted partner to perform her surgery. While my partner did not meet the patient first, she completed the procedure successfully.

This experience underscores the importance of flexibility and trust within surgical teams. Such incidents highlight the dedication and professionalism of healthcare professionals, as well as the potential risks involved in emergency care.