27 Standardising Risk Disclosure in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective Study on the Impact of a Pre-Printed Consent Form

Abstract Aim To evaluate whether a structured, pre-printed consent form improves the completeness and consistency of risk disclosure in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Method This prospective two-phase study was conducted in a district general hospital. In Phase 1, consent forms from 50 consecutive patients were reviewed to assess documentation of seven key complications: bile duct injury, bleeding, infection, retained stones, conversion to open surgery, bile leak, and thromboembolism. A standardised pre-printed consent form incorporating these risks was then introduced. Phase 2 reviewed 50 subsequent consent forms using the new template. Compliance rates were compared between two phases. Results In the initial cohort, only 12% of consent forms documented all seven key complications. Critically, bile duct injury—a rare but serious and potentially life-altering complication—was omitted in 26% of cases. This represents a significant failure in ensuring patients were fully informed. Other commonly missed risks included conversion to open surgery and bile leak. After implementation of the pre-printed consent form, documentation of all seven complications reached 100% compliance, with consistent completion by clinicians at all levels. Conclusions Use of a structured, pre-printed consent form significantly improved the quality and consistency of risk disclosure in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This intervention is simple, scalable, and enhances both patient communication and medicolegal safety.