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Chapter 21 - Amputate My Arm, Please. I Don’t Want It Anymore

from Part VI - Human Guinea Pigs and Miracles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2025

By
Denise M. Dudzinski
Edited by
Paul J. Ford  and
Denise M. Dudzinski
Paul J. Ford
Affiliation:
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland
Denise M. Dudzinski
Affiliation:
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle
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Summary

In this chapter of Complex Ethics Consultations: Cases that Haunt Us, the author encounters a 50-year-old woman who is requesting her arm be amputated to alleviate her complex regional pain syndrome. This is not a usual indication for an amputation, but a surgeon is willing to offer the procedure. The author attempts to bring about clarity even in the face of uncertainty. Moral distress played a substantial role in the consultation.

Keywords

hauntingclinical ethicssurgeryamputationpainautonomystandard of practicemoral distress

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Type
Chapter
Information
Complex Ethics Consultations
Cases that Haunt Us
 , pp. 169 - 174
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

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