Informed consent in neurosurgery

The increase of the judicial claims against physicians is a constant daily phenomenon which appears at the front page of the journals and TV news programs with largest audience. It is ort of doubt that the continuous neurosurgical advances turn our speciality into a more and more effective science; however, the spectacular increase in the assistance capacity of the sanitary systems, make the possible negligence ora active service proportional to medical performance. For many neurosurgeons, the concept of "Informed Consent" (IC) has turned into bureaucratic and additional, even unpleasant work, which reduces the total time devoted to the real assistance objectives. However, it represents a critical step in physician-patient relationship. In this report the concept of IC is analysed, and the main possible reasons leading to a lawsuit are commented.