Thank you for your question.With respect to surgery, except in cases of life-threatening emergencies in which time is of the essence, informed consent should always be obtained from the patient before proceeding with surgery. As a general rule, a 17-year-old cannot give an informed consent by himself/herself since he/she is still a minor. As a result, parental consent would be necessary in these non-emergent cases.While laws vary from region to region, I'm not aware of a jurisdiction in the United States in which a 17-year-old can make his/her own medical decisions, except in the case of an emancipated minor (check with your local authorities to see who qualifies).Aside from the legal concerns in question, the moral, emotional, and logistical support of a patient's family are essential to a smooth and uneventful postoperative course, a good surgical outcome, and ultimately, a happy patient.Best of luck!