[Ethical issues in live surgical demonstrations]

Live surgical demonstrations are very useful educational tools for teaching skills, real-time problem solving, and how to manipulate new devices. However, such demonstrations may cause anxiety to surgeons because they are always aware of the commentator and attending physicians. Concentrating solely on the patient during an operative procedure is a medical ethical principle for surgeons. There are few advantages for patients in undergoing demonstration surgeries, except that they can expect the best surgeon in the field to operate. Therefore, surgeons should carefully control all aspects of live demonstrations, especially the indications, procedure selected, and results, to resolve ethical issues.