unneccesary surgeries?

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http://www.redflagsweekly.com/second_opinion/2002_nov04.html

 

RFW SECOND OPINION

 

November 4, 2002

 

SECOND OPINION

 

RIP-OFF, CASH-COW, SURGERY RESULTING IN NEEDLESS ANXIETY, PAIN, SUFFERING,

LONG-TERM DAMAGE AND ECONOMIC LOSS

 

It’s Time To Aggressively Confront This Out-Of-Control Assault On Patients

 

By Nicholas Regush

 

Why does unnecessary and dangerous surgery play second fiddle to the unnecessary

and dangerous drug prescription epidemic?

 

It’s time to even things out. It is likely that modern medicine maims and

destroys patients with unnecessary surgery as often as it maims and destroys

patients with unnecessary drug prescriptions.

 

I’m not referring here to the media preoccupation with the alleged outlaws of

medicine - those doctors who run surgery scams. For instance, there was

considerable media attention focused last week on two doctors in Redding,

California who are alleged to have performed unnecessary heart procedures and

defrauded the federal Medicare program. Every now and then, there are reports of

this nature. And why should we be surprised? Doctors can be predators too.

 

But at issue here is the day-to-day surgery performed on patients that is a

rip-off and results in a ton of needless anxiety, suffering, long-term damage

and death. This is the story that needs much more media coverage and in-depth

investigation.

 

We can take our leads from the medical literature which has been warning us for

many years that a high percentage of surgical procedures likely benefit no one

except the doctor, his bank account and the clinic or hospital.

 

The numbers are startling and there is no sign of a let-up. One large U.S.

study, for example, shows that one in four women who undergo an appendectomy

loses a perfectly healthy appendix. Other studies suggest that perhaps as many

as five in six hysterectomies performed each year are not necessary, leading one

gynecologist to venture that, " treating a benign pelvic disease with a

hysterectomy is like treating a mild headache with decapitation. "

 

And continuing with how women are victimized, there are strong data suggesting

that one of every two American women who have a breast removed as treatment for

cancer do not need such radical surgery.

 

And we shouldn’t forget common procedures such as cataract removals. Studies

suggest that at least one third do not meet well-established guidelines. As it

happens, many patients report that their eyesight is worse after surgery.

 

Other forms of surgery that have been scrutinized and often found to be done in

excessive numbers are: gall bladder removal; low-back surgery, cesarean section,

surgery for sleep apnea, surgery for jaw pain; removal of a damaged disc in the

spine; removal of the prostate gland; total hip replacement; and arthroscopic

knee surgery. And the list goes on.

 

The medical associations, which are supposed to be carefully monitoring this

display of greed, lack of ethics and downright ignorance of guidelines, do

nothing. Absolutely nothing.

 

Aside from the huge amount of harm these surgeries do, they also significantly

ramp up the cost of health care. It is laissez-faire medicine that shows no

remorse and indication of reform.

 

Let’s call it what it is: butchery.

 

 

 

*This week, RFW’s Hot Controversies Takes A Detailed Look At Unnecessary Surgery

And How You Can Protect Yourself.

 

 

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