Diagnostic
process
The
initial surgical process is complete when a diagnosis has been obtained by
history, examination and imaging, supported by pathology. Experience enables
correct weighting to be placed on each aspect of this process to define the
correct treatment. All pieces of the jigsaw must fit together, and when they do
not, great care must be exercised. Surgical
conditions
tend to follow a logic based on anatomy, physiology and pathology (Fig.
1.13);
if that logic is transgressed, mistakes are made, and the patient may be
wrongly treated.
Before
submitting a patient to surgery, the diagnosis should be exact, the patient’s
condition carefully assessed and physiological variables corrected as far as
possible. Any additional risks should be taken into account and allowance made
for them in the surgical process.