{"id":"ff0ce14e-a246-4817-becc-bfdcbe18a5dc","slug":"the-american-association-of-neurological-surgeons-aans-suspends-surgeon-for-arguing-against-unnecessarily-extensive-spine-surgery-was-this-appropriate","title":"The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Suspends Surgeon for Arguing Against Unnecessarily Extensive Spine Surgery; Was this Appropriate?","authors":["Nancy E. Epstein"],"abstract":"Background: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) has faced criticism regarding its Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) policies, which may deter surgeons from testifying for patients or plaintiffs. The author shares personal experiences with the AANS following a legal case where he testified against a surgical procedure performed by a colleague, leading to accusations against him of violating the AANS's Code of Ethics and Expert Witness Rules. Summary: The author details the proceedings of the PCC, including a hearing where he defended himself against charges while also filing a counter grievance against the surgeon who accused him. Despite presenting evidence, the PCC recommended a six-month suspension for the author, while dismissing his counter grievance. The author argues that the AANS's actions reflect a bias in favor of defending its members rather than promoting ethical practices. Conclusion: The author expresses concern that the AANS's policies may intimidate neurosurgeons from providing honest expert testimony, ultimately impacting patient care. He calls for a transparent discussion regarding the AANS's Expert Witness Rules and their implications for the integrity of the profession. Keywords: AANS, neurosurgery, expert testimony, medical ethics, professional conduct, suspension, malpractice","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2018-12-27T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_423_18","categories":["Spine","Editorial"],"fullTextUrl":"http://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/9155/SNI-9-265.pdf"}