title: Current aspects of penal surgical liability in Greece.
abstract: The surgeon may face in every day practice issues that may render him liable. The legal liability usually emerges due to the negligence exhibited during the preoperative, the operative and the postoperative stage. The surgeon, as any doctor, isn't liable for the result, but he is responsible for the correct diagnosis and therapeutic treatment, always according to the principles of the Medical science and to the possibilities available to him in every specific case (facilities and time). The continuous education about the issues of his speciality, the adaptation of scientifically approved techniques, the correct monitoring of the patient, both preoperatively and postoperatively, and finally the good communication with the patient are necessary for the proper practice of Medicine; but also constitute the "shield" of the surgeon against any possible legal conflict.
authors.affiliation: University of Athens, School of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 75 Mikras Asias Str., Athens 11527, Greece. eisakelliadis@forensicadvice.gr
authors.forename: Emmanouil I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Sakelliadis
authors.forename: Stavroula A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Papadodima
authors.forename: Chara A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Spiliopoulou
mesh_terms: D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007396:Internship and Residency; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010820:Physicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*