Anesthesiologists Play Crucial Role
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* You reported in “Surgery Set for Siamese Twins” (Jan. 26) that “a team of five surgeons, backed by pediatricians and nurses,” were attempting to separate Siamese twins born to a Tijuana couple.
The article does a great disservice to the public by failing to mention that anesthesiologists will be the physicians most responsible for maintaining life during the formidable operation, not pediatricians, surgeons or nurses.
This is more than just an issue of professional pride--for the public is largely unaware that it is the anesthesiologist, and not the surgeon, who is responsible for maintaining a patient’s life and well-being during an operation.
Most patients do not even think to ask who their anesthesiologist will be prior to surgery; accurate reporting that emphasizes their importance (or at least does not exclude their role during surgery) would serve to better educate the public.
DR. AHMED F. GHOURI
Irvine
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