TY - JOUR
T1 - The Legal, Ethical, and Scientific Considerations for Returning Explanted Orthopaedic Hardware to the Patient
AU - Black, Natalie R.
AU - Winslade, William
AU - Lindsey, Ronald W.
AU - Gugala, Zbigniew
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 By The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.
PY - 2022/5/4
Y1 - 2022/5/4
N2 - Orthopaedic hardware explantation is a multifaceted topic with complex legal, ethical, and scientific aspects that require thorough exploration. Issues of device ownership, explant-induced disease propagation, and potential device resale pose legal risks to providers and health-care institutions. Ethically, implant removal highlights the potential that performing procedures at the request of the patient will incentivize patient compliance and strengthen the patient-surgeon relationship. However, the return of explanted hardware to patients could hinder scientific study and innovation, ultimately limiting advancement in risk reduction and patient outcomes. Continued research into these topics remains paramount to ensure that clinicians and institutions deliver optimal patient care while abiding with legal and ethical imperatives. This article addresses the legal, ethical, and scientific issues that are pertinent to returning an explanted orthopaedic implant to the patient and the potential ramifications of such practice.
AB - Orthopaedic hardware explantation is a multifaceted topic with complex legal, ethical, and scientific aspects that require thorough exploration. Issues of device ownership, explant-induced disease propagation, and potential device resale pose legal risks to providers and health-care institutions. Ethically, implant removal highlights the potential that performing procedures at the request of the patient will incentivize patient compliance and strengthen the patient-surgeon relationship. However, the return of explanted hardware to patients could hinder scientific study and innovation, ultimately limiting advancement in risk reduction and patient outcomes. Continued research into these topics remains paramount to ensure that clinicians and institutions deliver optimal patient care while abiding with legal and ethical imperatives. This article addresses the legal, ethical, and scientific issues that are pertinent to returning an explanted orthopaedic implant to the patient and the potential ramifications of such practice.
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U2 - 10.2106/JBJS.21.00318
DO - 10.2106/JBJS.21.00318
M3 - Review article
C2 - 34793340
AN - SCOPUS:85129997146
SN - 0021-9355
VL - 104
SP - E37
JO - Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
JF - Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
IS - 9
ER -