You are giving anesthesia for a diagnostic procedure to a 69-year-old woman, Patient A. Surgeon A sends in tissue which is found to be malignant. In the majority of cases, the extent of the malignancy in this patient will preclude surgery but Surgeon A believes that a not-so-often performed procedure may be a cure. He scrubs out and talks to the patient’s family who agree to this procedure. The surgery goes well and Patient A is home after 4 weeks and is doing well.
Three months later, you are giving anesthesia for a similar diagnostic procedure for Patient B who is 58-years-old. It is being performed by Surgeon B. The extent of cancer in Patient B is similar to that in Patient A. Surgeon B, who does not believe in this not-so-often performed procedure that saved Patient B has no intention of offering this Patient B. He scrubs out and goes to talk to the family about the futility of any surgical resection.
What do you do?
Do you mention the success surgeon A had with patient A?
Do you recommend surgeon A to patient B?
