Navigating Ethical Challenges of Incidental Findings in Abdominal Surgery

Introduction: In surgery, an intraoperative nding (IF) is an unexpected anomaly discovered during the procedure, unrelated to the original reason for surgery. General Surgery, focusing on abdominal procedures, often encounters incidental ndings (IFs), especially in emergencies, due to hidden pathologies. These ndings pose ethical challenges as immediate treatment decisions must be made without patient consent. The trafc-light framework categorizes these scenarios into 'green light' (proceed), 'red light' (do not proceed), and 'orange light' (requires careful consideration), aiding clinical decision-making, albeit with limited clinical validation. Methodology: This retrospective study analyzes 10 surgical cases addressing abdominal pathologies at Al Ameen Medical College, Vijayapura, from January to May 2024. Cases focused on acute conditions endangering patients' lives or health. Data collection followed Institutional Review Board approval, with all participants providing informed consent for anonymized data use in publication. In applying the trafc light IF Results: tool and adhering to best practices for each IF, 70% of cases accurately decided to proceed further during intra-operative management. Conclusion: The trafc-light framework effectively guided decisions on intraoperative ndings (IFs) in general surgery, enhancing clinical decision-making and addressing ethical dilemmas.