Invasive Procedures withQuestionable Indications used in Russia: Recent History

This review summarizes a series of reports on invasive procedures applied with questionable clinical indications. The following topics are discussed: the overuse of the Halsted and Patey mastectomy, relatively high negative appendectomy rate, cauterization of cervical pseudo-erosions regardless of the presence of precancerous lesions, pancreatic blood shunting into the systemic blood flow as a surgical treatment of diabetes mellitus, gastrectomy for peptic ulcers, surgical treatment of bronchial asthma and other respiratory diseases. In this connection, the diagnostic and therapeutic use of bronchoscopy is commented. Some papers containing questionable recommendations have remained without due commentary. Recommendations of invasive procedures without evidence-based indications sometimes reappear in newer publications. Excessive manipulation is unfavorable especially in conditions of suboptimal procedural quality assurance. Applying invasive procedures, the risk-to-benefit ratio should be kept as low as possible, while the principle of informed consent must be observed.