Final answer:
The surgery should be canceled until valid permission is attained. Legal and ethical standards demand informed consent from the patient or from a family member or legal guardian when the patient cannot consent. Verbal consent for surgical procedures is not usually legally sufficient.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a valid permission for surgery is not obtained, the appropriate course of action would be to cancel the surgery until a valid permission can be obtained. It is critical to adhere to legal and ethical standards, which require informed consent from the patient or, in cases where the patient is unable to provide consent, a family member or legal guardian. Verbal consent may not be sufficient for surgical procedures, and informing the patient after the surgery or seeking permission post facto could lead to severe legal repercussions. In instances involving minors or individuals who lack the capacity to consent, such as children, it is essential that parents or legal guardians provide the consent. For specific procedures such as abortions, there are additional consent requirements that vary depending on jurisdiction — for example, women might be required to make multiple clinic visits or minors might need consent from a parent or judge.