Preparing surgeons for the 21st century. Implications of advanced technologies

An entire spectrum of advanced technologies and concepts has been presented, from the new clinical applications to highly speculative possibilities. Not all of these technologies will survive the long process to clinical usefulness, but those that do may revolutionize surgery. With such change comes the ethical and moral responsibility to consider them not only in the light of improvement of patient care but also in their impact on society as a whole. If the remarkable rate of change of the past 2 decades continues, it is impossible to conceive of the role of future surgeons. Thus, to be prepared, surgeons must have an open mind, a willingness to consider and evaluate new directions, and the honesty and courage to change when a new approach is proven to be of value. A prepared mind is an open mind.