Access to emergent surgical care is now a worldwide crisis. The fragmentation of general surgery into innumerable subspecialties has rendered the broadly skilled surgeon capable of managing surgical emergencies increasingly scarce. The relative lack of interest among specialists to provide off hour emergent care has compounded this dilemma.
Consequently, it is timely to resurrect the traditional general surgeon who is dedicated to provide emergent surgical care irrespective of the time or day.
“Emergency Surgery” is developing as an exciting new discipline that embodies the broad clinical capabilities of the traditional general surgeon in many parts of the world today.
The fundamental concept is to provide immediate surgical care for all limb or life threatening conditions 24 hours a day/7 days a week. This evolution is firmly based on clinical needs, facilitated by the availability of advanced diagnostic technology, and prompted by more effective prehospital response systems. The worldwide demand for more efficient health care and the growing patient awareness of the benefits of prompt surgical care have underscored the absolute requirement for the availability of surgical intervention irrespective of the time of day or week.
At the same time, the implementation of restricted working hours for surgeons and the overwhelming demands of emergency departments have restricted the availability of surgical specialists during nights and weekends. These unprecedented challenges have provided the unique opportunity to revitalize the training and public support for expanding the surgical capabilities of the new Emergency Surgeon. Thus, for the young surgeon it is fundamental to have a thorough knowledge of the emergency surgery field. I think this emergency surgery manual will greatly assist the European young surgeon in his/her daily challenging work.
Ernest E. Moore