ABSTRACT
This chapter incorporates references to English common and statute law. Surgeons have a duty of care towards their patients that goes beyond merely protecting life and health. Their additional duty of care is to respect the autonomy of their patients and their ability to make choices about their treatments, and to evaluate potential outcomes in light of other life plans. Such respect is particularly important for surgeons because, without it, the trust between them and their patients may be compromised, along with the success of the surgical care provided. Surgeons have a legal as well as a moral obligation to obtain consent for treatment based on appropriate disclosure. Surgeons are accustomed to disclosing to their patients that the proposed operation may go wrong.
