Beyond the technique

摘要

As an orthopedic surgery resident, I had thought that the primary goal of surgical training was to kmaster the surgical technique. To this end, I read up on the surgical techniques and all of the smallest nuances so that the surgery would be "textbook perfect." Once the surgery had been completed, the skin closed, and the dressing applied, I thought my job was complete as a surgeon. After the patient returned for follow-up and the attending discussed the technical details of the progress of the surgery, the patients were given a "therapy order" and they magically reappeared several weeks later with an outstanding result. At this time in my career, I had thought it was all because of the spectacular surgical technique that was executed on the day of surgery.