Complications are, in the true essence of the word every surgeon’s nightmare. Though causing harm was never the intention and every surgeon approaches any operation with the intention of doing good, things do unfortunately go wrong – sometimes these are easily remediable but sometimes they are not…..sometimes they lead to irreversible harm and even death.

It is difficult -from the patient’s point of view he or she comes to the hospital for a simple operation, though when you consider the innumerable intricacies and variability of humans, no operation is “simple”. Though human anatomy is depicted in clear multicolored beautifully drawn images in the operative atlas, nothing can be further from the truth….This is more so when normal anatomy is distorted by disease. Often experience, not knowledge is the only guide for the surgeon in these murky waters and despite the best intentions things do go wrong….and go wrong badly.

No doubt the patient suffers and takes the brunt of these mishaps, but there is also a second victim. It is never easy to fathom the fact that your actions caused a patient serious harm and to live with it and get on with life – You will remember the one patient to whom you caused harm every time you take a knife again…..every time. Every surgeon has a little “cemetery” in his or her heart, where such memories are buried…

I always feel that honesty is the best policy in such situations – We owe it to the patient to be truthful and candid. Things go wrong despite our best intentions ….being candid about it is often the best policy.

Being available to the patient when the patient needs it is also important. Once a complication happens the patient becomes ” your” patient. You may ask for more experienced help for sure, but still, you can’t walk away or Shy away from responsibility or ownership…

It’s tough …..equally tough on both the patient and the surgeon, to say the least.

Thankfully it is rare in modern-day surgical practice, but it is worth remembering that every time you take a knife to your hand, however good your intentions are, there is potential to cause serious harm…..So never take the decision to do an operation lightly or carelessly.

With that in mind, I will take leave- Wishes for another glorious and rewarding day in surgery !!

See you soon!!

LBS

The eternal question!

What makes a good surgeon? Why are some surgeons better at their craft than others? It is indeed a million-dollar question!

After spending more than a decade in the surgical business as a trainee surgeon initially and a practicing surgeon now, I feel that I can provide you with a reasonable answer

Is natural ability important to make a good surgeon? Undoubtedly! Steady hands , Great hand, and eye coordination, Situational awareness, Ability to stay calm and collected under pressure – These are all good traits to have – and some individuals are born with them 🙂

However, within the limits of natural ability, all of these traits can be trained and developed in an individual. One may not reach the potential of an exceptionally talented individual, but they can come remarkably close. This is where standradized training and simulation come into the picture. Aviation industry is phenomenal in using structured and simulation based training to optimize the performance of pilots – We surgeons are lagging behind unfortunately!!

Apart from the technical aspects of surgery , what is often overlooked is the Non technical aspects. As a surgeon you are always managing a team, You are a team leader. You are an advocate for your patients. You are continuously assessing an balancing risk Vs benefit for each of your actions. Hence the non technical aspects of surgeons work makes a very important part of his working life – hence attitude , leadership qualities are very important too!

So All in All what makes a great surgeon ? The truth of the matter is there is no correct answer! I think it is safe to say that it is a unique blend of technical and non technical skills as well as in born ability that makes a great surgeon!!

See you soon in another Blog!

TC!!

Some advice before you start to play!

As a practicing general surgeon, It amazes me at times to see that the ground moves beneath one’s feet, all the time.

Nothing ever remains still! Constant change everywhere-, guidelines, medications, not to mention the surgical kit and technology!!

In this fast-paced and ever-changing world what we have learned as gospel once, becomes irrelevant and outdated in a few years to come…..this holds true for many other things in life but especially more so for a rapidly developing and changing specialty like surgery. Therefore constant updating of one’s knowledge and skills and lifelong learning is a must for the modern-day surgeon…

How do we overcome the constant challenge of mastering and practicing an ever-changing and updating art of general surgery, and mastering it? Here are a few Tips I have gathered over the years

1. Subscribe to a Journal – Becoming a lifelong reader helps! Subscribe to a good surgical journal and keep it in your bag. Try to read it whenever you get any free time in the theatre or clinic or during your commute… In addition to getting you updated on technical knowledge, it also keeps you updated on what is happening in your profession as a whole- a worthy investment if you ask me!
2. Kindle – Read something other than the technical and surgical stuff! Reading is fun and once you have started you will certainly enjoy it. I really enjoy reading on the Kindle and there is an unlimited collection at your fingertips.
3. Audiobooks – Make good use of the time we waste in traffic jams and waiting for patients to go under in the theatre! Invest in a pair of good noise-canceling headphones and listen to some really great audiobooks.
4. Podcasts – There are many excellent podcasts that provide expert insights into your practice of surgery. Other than keeping you updated they are often fun to listen to.
5. Speak to your reps – Surgical technology is an ever-changing industry with the constant evolution of existing technology and the introduction of new technology at all times! Always maintain a good relationship with industry experts. I always make it a point to visit the products booth at whatever conference I am at and have a go at the ” new Kit”. It is always fun and who knows, next time you are in the theatre you may find the “new Kit” in your hands!!

That is it for this week- I will catch up in the next week!

Good luck and Safe operating !!

LBS