Second Surgical Opinions

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. recognizes that the advisability of surgery or other specific therapy can be a matter of opinion. It reaffirms that traditional right of the patient's freedom of choice. It opposes the concept of mandatory second surgical opinions or the imposition of financial penalties by a third party payer for not obtaining such second opinion. If by any circumstance a second opinion is required, it should be covered by the third party payer and rendered by a board certified otolaryngologist in active practice or a board certified surgeon in related and appropriate discipline and active practice.

Adopted 7/10/82
Reviewed 9/16/95
Revised 9/16/95
Submitted for Review 3/1/98
Reaffirmed 3/1/98

Guidelines are not a substitute for the experience and judgment of a physician and are developed to enhance the physicians' ability to practice evidence-based medicine.

Important Notice

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Policy Statements are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS emphasizes that these policies should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.