Any human, healthy, sick, fully conscious or unconscious must be treated with dignity. This is a lesson to be taught to all health professionals, especially those who work in operating rooms and intensive care units. The recognition of human dignity is an important principle in the whole of society, but it is particularly relevant in health, where patients are very vulnerable. Although it may seem easy and natural to behave properly in the presence of a conscious patient, the unconscious or anaesthetized patient should not be expected to give up their rights, beliefs and choices along with their loss of consciousness.