A patient seeking functional septorhinoplasty says that even a small chance of visible asymmetry would be unacceptable because of their occupation. What should the surgeon do?
Materiality is patient-specific. Supported decision-making requires eliciting what matters to the individual, explaining reasonable alternatives and documenting risks that this patient would consider significant, not merely quoting common complications.
A. Omit rare risks because their numerical frequency is low: A low-frequency risk can still be material to this particular patient.
B. Explore the patient's priorities and specifically discuss asymmetry, alternatives and no treatment: Materiality is patient-specific. Supported decision-making requires eliciting what matters to the individual, explaining reasonable alternatives and documenting risks that this patient would consider significant, not merely quoting common complications.
C. Ask the patient to sign a generic form without discussion: A signature is not the consent process.
D. Guarantee perfect symmetry: Surgery cannot ethically guarantee an aesthetic or functional result.
E. Refuse to discuss non-operative management: No treatment and other reasonable options belong in the decision.
If the patient demonstrated unrealistic fixed beliefs or severe body-image distress, further assessment and time for reflection might be safer than proceeding.
Independent Clinora educational preparation material; not official JCIE content, an accredited programme, clinical advice, or a substitute for local policy and specialist judgement.
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