Findings from a survey published online in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons suggest that a small minority of the general public is aware of the practice of overlapping surgery, and most would prefer that the practice be disclosed during the informed consent process. 

The researchers surveyed 1,454 people and found that only 56 (3.9 percent) had prior knowledge of the practice of overlapping surgery. Overall, 31 percent of respondents supported or strongly supported the practice. However, 94.7 percent said that the attending surgeon should inform them of the practice in advance. Learn more...