How to Take Stress while Doing Surgery
By the end of my medical school, I was set to become a cardiologist. At that time, a prominent cardiology department in Warsaw Medical School even offered me a position. Then I had a conversation about my future with a professor who was the head of general surgery powerhouse, well known not only in Poland, […]
Should Surgeons Friend Their Patients on Facebook?
Throughout the history, surgeons not always were held in a high esteem. The first barbers-surgeons in medieval Europe had a terrible reputation. Their job included a wide range of procedures from cutting hair to pulling teeth and amputating limbs. Another favorite procedure was bloodletting, a very impressive event, quite terrifying for the people who watched. […]
Is a Novel about and by a Cardiac Surgeon Better than One Written by a Layman?
I’ve never liked reading fiction novels. Always thought it was a waste of time. I could learn much more from a good non-fiction book and quite often immediately apply the knowledge into my everyday life. Then I discovered John Grisham’s novels. They were not literary novels, but their plots were compelling, the action […]
Would You Like Your Surgeon to be Fast, or Meticulous?
One of the chief fascinations of surgery is the management of wounded vessels and avoidance of hemorrhage. The only weapon with which the unconscious patient can immediately retaliate upon the incompetent surgeon is hemorrhage. If he bleeds to death, it may be presumed that the surgeon is to blame. Whereas if he dies of infection […]
Anger in the Operating Room
Anyone can become angry – that is easy, but to be angry with the right person at the right time, and for the right purpose and in the right way – that is not in everybody’s power and that is not easy. Aristotle We have four children. I’ve spanked my firstborn son; infrequently, but I […]
How to Measure Success in the Life of a Surgeon
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. Albert Schweitzer But how to get there? It was the second half of the 19th century. In Albany, New York, a middle age woman developed sharp, protracted abdominal pains. Local physicians […]
How Do We Look at a Genius with Flaws
The year was 1881 and a young woman was dying from the postpartum hemorrhage. The young, 29 years old surgeon was contacted and after deliberations he drew blood from his own vein and transfused it to the patient. The patient recovered. German scientist Landsteiner discovered and described ABO blood group system in 1901. A year […]
Being Headstrong Helps to Succeed as a Cardiac Surgeon
Lawyer: Dr Cooley, do you consider yourself the best surgeon in the world? Dr Cooley: Yes, I do. Lawyer: Don’t you think it is rather immodest? Dr Cooley: Perhaps, but remember, you put me under oath. Dr Denton Cooley was considered by many to be probably the best surgeon in his time. And he is […]
Look Back on My Surgical Career
Does it ever happen to you, that after a conversation or event is over, an untimely thought comes to mind? Something you should say or do, and you didn’t think of it at a proper time? Then suddenly you do, and now obviously it’s too late. Or somebody said a hurtful thing, and you didn’t […]
