Surgeons don’t discuss options with their patients.

The survey’s results, published in the Annals of Surgery, found that more than four out of every five surgeons discussed which forms of life support the patients would like to limit. But only about one half specifically asked about the patient’s advance directive, which can include restricting the use of feeding tubes and ventilators to keep a person alive.

Wen it comes down to specifics, surgeons are reluctant to discuss directives which could greatly impact the care received if a surgery fails.

Patients could be kept alive against their will leaving families with crippling medical bills.