KAPLAN^|^rsquo;S CORNER

Abstract

When it was surgery that I chose, Each of my friends turned up his nose, Because they felt that a surgeon didn't need to be bright, Whereas a physician did, to get the diagnosis right. That a surgeon was merely a technician While a physician was a diagnostician. But, be that as it may, What I wish to say, Is that a successful operation improves the patient's condition, Whereas a successful diagnosis may not change the position, Because, even if the diagnosis is a brilliant feat, You may be left with the inability to treat. And then, since the treatment is unknown, All you can do is give cortisone There are many conditions, however, where the diagnosis is proved, And the only treatment is for the pathology to be removed, Or the deformity corrected or the function to be improved. This involves all ages, from the newborn to the aged, And may require a single operation or surgery that's staged. Whenever one is required to operate On children or the neonate, The CO2 laser, as a surgical tool Should be used as a strict rule. Because, blood loss, if not entirely eliminated, Can be considerably reduced, and transfusion negated. This, of course, to adults also applies, But there is another reason why its use is wise, And that is the postoperative reduction of pain And full function, they can speedily regain. And so, in conclusion and with hindsight, I think that my choice happened to be right, Because surgery gave me much gratification, Particularly because of the laser's application While also avoiding much frustration. March 2011