Should a Highly Skilled Surgeon be an Advanced Anatomist first? - A View Point

Abstract

Skilled surgeons treat their patients by repair/removal/cutting/alteration/replacement of the diseased part/organ. So before starting to make an incision on a patient, the surgeon requires not only confidence, a sound knowledge of the organization of macro/micro forms and structures and their shapes, sizes and locations and the correct diagnosis of the disease, but also the anatomical relationship to the disease. The aim of this study is to explore the intimate involvement of anatomy with successful surgery in order to help reduce the failure rate and consequently the incidence of litigious claims. The role of anatomy in surgical procedures from diagnosis to completion is analyzed. The current failure rates in surgery due to lapses in the anatomical knowledge felt by many surgeons are revealed. Remedial measures to ensure safe medical practice have been proposed by senior surgeons and regulators involved in settling the increasing number of litigious claims, such as improving knowledge by inviting educationists to oppose the lowering standards of anatomy teaching among passing-out doctors. A balanced scheduling of medical curricula is required with emphasis on the synergistic vertically and horizontal integration of anatomy, besides mastering subject as it is taught at the outset of the course. Successful surgery and in-depth knowledge of anatomy are complementary to each other. Human anatomy can be practiced by surgeons on cadavers to help improve surgical success.