Invasive Procedures with Questionable Indications: Prevention of a Negligent Custom

This is an update and continuation of preceding reports on invasive methods used with questionable indications in the former Soviet Union. Among others, the following is discussed: the surgical treatment of diabetes mellitus, of bronchial asthma and some other respiratory conditions, the overuse of gastrectomy for peptic ulcers, of Halsted and Patey mastectomy, coagulation of cervical pseudo-erosions without epithelial dysplasia, enhanced negative appendectomy rate. The use of endoscopy with diagnostic, therapeutic and scientific purposes is discussed. The purpose of this review was to comment on some reports from the recent past with questionable recommendation for the practice, to stress that the risk-to-benefit ratio should be kept possibly low, and informed consent obtained.