The Operation: Surgery Live

[zirnitra]

Well, tonight at around half ten channel four will broadcast, what I know to be the first ever live operation on British television. I am really excited about seeing it.

I know that operations have been filmed before but this will be live infront of a studio audience 1800s style plus using Facebook and Twitter the public can ask the surgeons questions while they operate on the patient. I was wondering what everyone else thought of it ethically, I do remember a critic once stating that reality TV had gone to far and was just pushing taboos for the sake of it, and they joked "what's next live surgery?"

Is it okay that the Surgeons are distracted during the operation? these are not small operations throughout the week featured will be Open Heart Surgery, keyhole stomach surgery, pituitary tumour removal through the nasal and to cap it of a complete craniotomy.

 

[Nimbus]

Wait... what?!? I... I mean... holy... WHAT!?!

Whay would they... ugh. I can't even say it.

*Hangs head in dispair*

 

[SecretTacoNinja]

Who would want to watch that...?

 

[Maynia]

Yeeeeeah. Borderline of the borderline, in typical C4 style.

Having endured minor brain surgery (so much as there is such thing as a minor brain surgery) and fairly major abdominal surgery at various times, I'd want to be damn sure the attention of the medics was on me and me alone, not to mention not wanting the whole lot splashed on national TV. But I guess money talks pretty loud, especially in these economic conditions.

Won't be watching it because it makes me distinctly uneasy as a concept, which is about all we can do to express discontent at this point.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Why?

 

[Trivun]

Hey, Channel 4 did that show with the German guy who did live dissections and had slices of bodies for study. It's probably meant to be with the aim of bringing science to the masses, but they're going about it the wrong way. I may have a look though, but I probably won't actually watch it...

 

[Maynia]

Pers'nally, I'd argue that dissections are slightly different, if only because there's no risk to life going on there, and they have been used for centuries as teaching aids whereas surgery is generally initially learned, in the modern day at least, on cadavers/models/whatever. I did watch a couple of Gunther von Hagens' dissections, and they were rather educational.

Hmm, that triggers a rather morbid thought...

What happens if something goes wrong?

 

[blackcherry]

I imagine enough people will watch it just for the hoo ha the show has kicked up with the express and mail readers.

As for if its in good taste, well thats down to the audience really. Channel 4 isn't what it used to be, so now its down to doing sensationalist shows for the sake of it. Probably out of a desperation for ratings too.

 

[Skeleon]

Well, it's a pretty sick idea.
Another TV show the world needs like a blood clot.
However, having been part of the operating procedures, I can tell you that experienced surgeons aren't easily distracted. In fact, small talk is very common.
I don't think the patient will be in any bigger danger.

 

[zirnitra]

Hey, Channel 4 did that show with the German guy who did live dissections and had slices of bodies for study. It's probably meant to be with the aim of bringing science to the masses, but they're going about it the wrong way. I may have a look though, but I probably won't actually watch it...

Dr Gunther von Hagens is now world famous and not just for his invention of 'plastinisation', and his world exhibit is still touring. so it does show these things have popularity.

I will be watching it because I once wanted be a doctor before I realised I'm not capable of telling little girl's parents that their kid is dying of cancer and I wasn't committed enough to get an A in alevel chemistry. and would just like to see it out of interest.

Pers'nally,

Hmm, that triggers a rather morbid thought...

What happens if something goes wrong?

then I guess C4 will go down in history as the first broadcaster ever to show a live death. and Ofcom will fine them for everything they have.

 

[XJ-0461]

Hmm, that triggers a rather morbid thought...

What happens if something goes wrong?

That would be...just awful, in so many ways, for so many people.

Also, welcome to the Escapist.