Prophylactic Surgery Prior to Extended-duration Space Flight: is the Benefit Worth the Risk?

Overview

Journal Can J Surg

Specialty General Surgery

Date 2012 May 9

PMID 22564516

Citations 11

Authors

Chad G Ball

Andrew W Kirkpatrick

David R Williams

Jeffrey A Jones

J D Polk

James M Vanderploeg

Mark A Talamini

Mark R Campbell

Timothy J Broderick

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This article explores the potential benefits and defined risks associated with prophylactic surgical procedures for astronauts before extended-duration space flight. This includes, but is not limited to, appendectomy and cholecystesctomy. Furthermore, discussion of treatment during space flight, potential impact of an acute illness on a defined mission and the ethical issues surrounding this concept are debated in detail.

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