Looking Forward to the Future

Abstract

Over the years, I have always believed that surgical techniques are procedures that emphasize tradition but also show great novelty. The vast majority of surgical procedures for abdominal surgery were established over a hundred years ago in the 1880s. Examples include the Whipple procedure for pancreaticoduodenectomy, the Billroth I and II procedures for gastrectomy, the Lembert (Cushing, Halsted) and Connell suture for intestinal anastomosis, and the Miles and Dexin operations for colorectal cancer. These surgical procedures are still in use today without any changes, and no improvements have achieved better results than the original design. Hence, I believe that tradition is the core of surgical procedures. However, surgeons have an excellent ability to accept innovative techniques and new methods. Endoscopy, laparoscopy, and even robotics are all surgical concepts that have been rapidly accepted and used by surgeons who have promoted the development of the surgeries. Therefore, surgeons are the most innovative physicians.