TABLE OF CONTENTS The topics we have so far covered in this chapter represent the surgical techniques developed for operations which entail the removal and replacement of some diseased organs, and the repairs to those which are faulty or damaged. I am very conscious though, that in a profession which is able to repair, replace or remove virtually every part of the body, I have had to leave out many surgical procedures, including the treatment of varicose veins, eye surgery &c. I have also deliberately omitted to describe the highly sophisticated and intricate surgical techniques which have been carried out on children and very small babies. In the latter case, the heart is only the size of a plum! These are often modifications of those developed for, and practised upon, adults. One brief mention might be appropriate, however, the angioplasty (see Chapter 5) procedure recently carried out successfully in London to clear the blocked artery of a child, who had his first heart attack when a few weeks old, and the second aged only two years.
I hope, however, that what I have covered will be sufficient to make the reader aware of the tremendous advances that are being made across the field of surgery. This being the case, it is worth mentioning that in certain areas the rate of advance is so rapid that what is considered ground-breaking today, will tomorrow be looked upon as routine, and the sights raised once again.
It should also be remembered that the motivation...
