Multiple operations on the same patient

BACKGROUND: Here, we present to practicing spine surgeons and an even broader professional audience a case in which one spine surgeon, operating in his own outpatient surgery facility, performed a staggering number of procedures or “multiple operations on the same patient” (MOSP). In the vacuum of information regarding the multiply operated patient, the authors are without any guidance or even knowledge as to whether or not MOSP is a complete aberration or occurs with some documentable frequency within the medical/surgical profession. CASE REPORT: The authors report a very extraordinary case of a woman, who, between April 4, 2000, and April 17, 2002, underwent 27 operative procedures on various parts of her spine. Within this same time frame, she additionally had one operation on each shoulder and an arthroscopy of the left knee. Each operation was performed at the same outpatient spine surgery center by the same surgeon and each was accompanied by a full operative report. CONCLUSIONS: As there is little information regarding MOSP, future documentation and reports are required so that the extent and degree of MOSP can be better evaluated. Furthermore, it is critical to examine multiple quality concerns, including indications for surgery, examination of patients’ personality traits in order to understand why one individual would subject herself to such a multitude of operations in such a short period of time, and some examination of the surgeon's motivations and practice patterns.