Ethical, Moral and Legal Guidelines For Children's Surgery: An Era of Children's Surgery

Perhaps in some ways, we always live in an era of children’s surgery.

Ethical, moral and legal guidelines for their prospective surgery invariably lie in the hands of responsible adults. Parents and guardians frequently become involved with appropriate surgical teams set up to function under previously established ethical, moral and legal guidelines.

In the year 2011, there is increasing concern in terms of innovative children’s surgery, namely that which is new and different. With all of the recent ongoing transitions and advances in terms of innovative surgical procedures and new technology, there is also a growing need for revision to the current ethical, moral and legal guidelines. (Note that this is something that is always in a state of transition or an ongoing process.)

At stake in terms of establishing, introducing and maintaining any ethical, moral and legal guidelines with respect to pediatric surgery, includes the quality of life, as well as the safety and protection of children. 

Right from the beginning of time, the need for the protection of children has been foremost in the thoughts of many responsible parents, guardians and surgical professionals.

There are times when surgical intervention has been necessary to improve the quality of the child’s life. Surgery may have saved the life of a child. Cosmetic surgery may have enhanced the child’s appearance, when there were birth defects. Surgery may have restored parts of a child’s body that suffered unanticipated, physical damage.

Protecting children also means protecting mothers and fathers, who try to protect their children, as best they can.

Any kind of surgical intervention can put children at risk, regardless of their age.

In the year 2011, an increased level of concern on the part of parents and guardians and surgical professionals, with respect to new or innovative children’s surgery is warranted, simply because of the reality that there are so many transitions in surgical procedures and technology. Accompanying these changes, there may be possible unexpected or unanticipated ramifications, in terms of surgical intervention. 

This abstract from “Emerging ethical issues in pediatric surgery” addresses a areas of concern with respect to pediatric surgery, suggesting, “the imperative of patient safety presents an opportunity for specialty-driven effort to define standards for the surgical care of children and a responsible process for introducing surgical innovations.”

One might argue that increased pediatric surgical research is necessary, but at the same time, innovation in terms of pediatric surgery ultimately leads towards documentation in the form of records and the compilation of research material.

Perhaps the most important thing this abstract recommends is, “a responsible process for introducing surgical innovation”.