Surgery remains a challenge for young learners. Perhaps the most
difficult of all surgeries are those done on the liver, biliary tree and
pancreas. These organs are difficult to expose, difficult to operate and
the patients are often difficult to recover. There are significant
consequences for any missteps on what is a narrow pathway to a
successful outcome.
The skills needed to master surgery on these organs are hard to acquire.
The volume of information presented to students is enormous and complex
to parse. HPB textbooks contain a large amount of information from
various authors but are often poorly coordinated. Surgical manuals
contain significant anatomic details and descriptions but have
difficulty transferring key concepts. Experienced surgeons are often
oblivious to their skills and communicate poorly to their students
regarding the things they do or understand that make them wise. This
book tries to capture this wisdom.
The topics in this book are most applicable to hepatobiliary and
pancreatic surgeons but really extend to all general surgeons. Anyone
who operates in the abdomen must have a basic understanding of these
dominant organs; general surgery trainees and staff are an additional
focus of this book. The skills needed for a modern surgeon to succeed
are much broader than the scalpel tip. Section I, "HPB Surgical Craft",
imparts important lessons on the laws of human interactions and
cognitive aspects of surgery. Sections on the anatomy and operations on
the liver, pancreas and bile ducts are presented. The expanded
gallbladder section and pancreatitis chapters are of particular
importance to general surgery residents. This book has been written in a
readable and entertaining style, with many fun historical and
contemporary quotes dotted throughout.
The Wise Scalpel is an attempt to impart knowledge and understanding
to students and practicing surgeons at all levels. The book focuses on
tips, traps and underlying truths about the diseases of these organs and
their surgical treatment. While this book will not supplant the struggle
needed to move from novice to expert surgeon, hopefully it will quicken
the process and help avoid some of the dangers and frustrations along
the way.
*Dr. Francis R. Sutherland is a Professor of Surgery at the University
of Calgary. He has been a HPB and general surgeon for 30 years. He has
broad experience training residents and fellows. He is a co-founder of
the HPB Surgery Program for Southern Alberta and a co-founder of the
Canadian HPB Association.
*
Dr. Chad G. Ball is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University
of Calgary. He has been an active HPB and trauma surgeon since 2005. He
is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Surgery and
Evidence-Based Reviews in Surgery Program.
