Medical malpractice
In neurosurgery
In France, although neurosurgery's casualty rate (6%) is lower than in other specialties, the number of legal prosecutions has increased since 2002 because of easier access to medicolegal procedures. In order to avoid patients' resorting to the law courts, it becomes necessary to clearly identify the risk factors.
Some causes are definitely avoidable at no cost to the hospital. Besides basic preventive safety procedures, the mandatory steps for a good defense when being prosecuted. The evolution of patients' attitudes toward medical institutions observed in most countries has forced surgeons to adapt their practice. In this context, a common action certified by learned societies on sustainable Healthcare quality, patient safety, and respect of good practices appears as the golden path to maintain a favorable legal, insurance, and financial environment 1).