The Specificities of Surgery

Extract

[...] This success contributes to the credibility of surgery in the eyes of the king. Surgery becomes worthy of being taught and practiced. Revolution: Equality between surgeons and physicians: Distinction between surgeons and physicians abolished. Unified education including medicine, surgery, and obstetrics (the field of midwifery). Major advancements: Handwashing by Ignaz Semmelweis in 1850. Antiseptic techniques by Joseph Lister in 1869: Significant reduction in surgical mortality rates (from 60% to 15%). Anesthesia by Morton and Wells in 1850. Aseptic techniques by Louis Pasteur in 1890. [...]

[...] Al-Andalus period presence of excellent physicians and surgeons, as well as descriptions of quite advanced surgical techniques (e.g., cataract surgery). From the Middle Ages to the 16th century: Distinction between physicians and surgeons: Physicians were intellectually respectable and socially recognized individuals who did not practice surgery because it was considered a less noble profession. In contrast, barbers, who were purely manual workers, would dirty their hands with blood. Surgeons would perform surgical procedures after receiving a diagnosis from physicians, such as treating wounds, incising abscesses, and performing bloodletting. [...]

[...] "Hard" specialties: Neurosurgery, orthopedics, maxillofacial surgery. "Soft" specialties: Visceral surgery, urology, cardiovascular surgery, gynecology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, pediatric surgery. Coordinated team of interdependent professionals: Surgeon: "Conductor" who performs the surgical intervention. Anesthesiologist: Administers anesthesia to the patient. Surgical assistant: (e.g., nurse) who assists the surgeon during the procedure. Instrument technician: Surgical Instrument Technician or Certified Surgical Technologist who handles and manages the sterile instruments and equipment. Circulating nurse: Acts as a liaison between the surgical team and the external environment, providing the necessary supplies and equipment to the sterile instrument technician. [...]

[...] CONCLUSION: Healing "with one's hands": The practice of surgery involves the skillful use of hands to provide treatment and care. Minimally invasive approach: Surgical techniques aim to be as minimally invasive as possible, reducing trauma and promoting faster recovery. Multidisciplinary and interprofessional teamwork: Surgery requires collaboration among various healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care. Importance of technology: Technological advancements have played a significant role in the development of surgery, but it is essential to maintain a balance where technology serves the well-being of the human being. [...]

[...] Implant devices: to place devices within the body (e.g., cardiac pacemaker). Surgical terminology: Relevant organs: − Hystero-: Uterus − Mammo-: Breast − Gastro-: Stomach − Hepato-: Liver − Cholecycto-: Gallbladder − Cysto-: Bladder − Nephro-: Kidney − Thoraco-: Thorax − Laparo-: Abdomen − Rhino-: Nose − Pneumo-: Lung − Arthro-: Joint Performed actions: − Graphy: 2D imaging − Scopy: Visual examination − Ectomy: Removal performing excision) − Stomy: Creating an opening into a hollow organ − Plasty: Reconstructing or modifying an organ − Pexy: Fixation or securing − Tomy: Incision or cutting into a hollow organ − Raphy: Closure following an incision = suturing − Cleisis: Occlusion or closure of an organ or canal Surgical pathologies: Distinguished from medical pathologies: Medical pathologies are treated with medications or other therapies, but they can become surgical pathologies if the treatments are not effective (e.g., appendicitis is a surgical pathology managed by surgeons). [...]