Throughout history the surgeon has been revered as the bringer of life. Though much has changed in society since the inception of the occupation, the original role has remained immutable: aiding a patient to survive. Medical technology stands poised to again refine the role of the surgeon. Today, surgeons envision new methods that reduce the negative aspects of surgery while contributing to the positive aspects.

The skill of the surgeon is one important consideration, because so many procedures hinge on the proficiency of the surgeon. For example, laparoscopic appendicectomy is one method used to remove the appendix from the body [1]. In this procedure, the surgeon will use a laparoscope, or a fiber optic instrument inserted into the body, to visually examine the interior. Therefore, the surgeon’s proficiency in creating an incision and inserting the tube affects the quality of surgery. Medical technology helps improve the surgeon’s proficiency, allows the surgeon to accomplish the same procedure with fewer dangers to the patient, and also brings about the development of many new surgeries.

Minimally invasive surgery comprises a new wave of surgical methods since its development in the 1990s [2]. Valvular surgery, once rarely performed, has expanded much due to the development of this new technology. Benefits include a reduction in the duration of hospitalized time for patients, post-surgical pain, and blood hemorrhages [2]. However, determining what exactly constitutes minimal invasiveness is difficult, because there are no set criteria. For example, mitral valve surgery performed under this new method would require placing a cannula, or opening, in a high-risk location on the body. With conventional methods, a cannula would not be placed so far from the mitral valve and would therefore have less peripheral hemorrhaging effects than minimally invasive surgery [2].

Cafarrellibelieves that minimally invasive surgery should not be seen as a replacement method but as another weapon in the repertoire of the surgeon. This constitutes a new philosophy in surgery: “a constellation of new routines, methods, and techniques all directed collectively toward speedily returning patients to normalcy” [2]. With the advent of nontraditional surgical procedures, surgery is being transformed into a case-specific stratagem. For example, cardiac surgeons now can consult a team of surgeons in deciding the optimal procedure since so many procedures are available. For a coronary by-pass surgery, a surgeon can choose a minimally invasive method, whereas for a valvular operation, he can choose a more external method [2]. Thanks to technology, now the surgeon has the flexibility to decide the best procedure.

Anotherfield of surgery that is experiencing similar openness is orthopedic surgery involving implantations. Robotic-assisted total hip replacement has become a common method of implantation, especially in Europe [3]. Many surgeons believe that robotic reaming would result in improved outcome due to better precision of prostheses. However, this belief has not yet been proven in clinical study [3]. In one study conducted by Hohl, the robotic procedure resulted in more post-surgical dislocations in comparison with manual operations [3] . However, the robotic method has the advantage of improved accuracy of prosthesis insertion. Hohl concludes that the robotic method requires improved technology if it is to replace surgeons.

Precision tools have the potential to far exceed surgeons. However, technological advancements must occur because advancements in medicine have a direct dependence on technology. A good example of the dependence of medicine on technology is that of eye surgery. Technological advancements in optical laser surgery have led to famous operations with LASIK surgery [4]. However, ophthalmologists performing eye surgery often must risk peripheral tissue damage in the patient [4] and thus many of these surgeries have been described as high risk procedures and are often not allowed to proceed.

The reason for labeling laser surgery as high risk is that many current lasers operate with light in units of nanoseconds (10 -9 s) [4]. However, using phenomena of photocoagulation and photoablation, lasers have been designed to operate in units of femtoseconds (10 -12 s) [4]. These new lasers would permit surgeries previously rejected because increased light speed results in increased intensity, which protects the sensitive corneal cells [4]. Laser technology is in a nascent stage, but in time it may greatly enhance the performance of eye surgery.

Despite the technological advancements, decision-making is still at the discretion of surgeons. The technology gives the surgeon options that result in a series of decisions. In neurological surgeries involving the pineal gland, multiple surgery procedures cause the surgeon to determine the optimal procedure [5]. Each procedure involves a study of the pathological nuances that comprise a person’s brain. Contrasted with open surgery methods, stereotactic biopsy is one that results in less morbidity, but higher inaccuracy in other aspects of the operation [5]. A patient’s physical condition may also affect the choice of surgery. The multitude of options available necessitates choosing the best one.

Medical technology has the power to affect surgery and medicine positively. Surgeons can now reduce risks in many procedures, thanks to technology. Certain operations, such as cardiac surgery, now permit the choice of which method to use. However, certain technological advancements must be thoroughly examined before becoming widely used. For example, robotic prosthesis implantation still needs to be improved. Allowing research and technological development to flourish prevents medicine from becoming static in certain branches. For example, ophthalmologists stand poised to apply new laser technology for existing surgeries, so research in this area should continue. The advancement of technology coincides with the advancement of surgical methods.