Innovation in surgery: a historical perspective

Area of Science:

• Exploration of surgical innovation through the lens of technology innovation research.
• Historical analysis of surgical progress and its relationship with technological advancements.

Background:

• Surgical innovation, despite a long history, is an underdeveloped academic field with few dedicated centers.
• The systematic evaluation and promotion of surgical innovation are crucial for medical progress and health policy.
• Defining the field and exploring avenues for promoting surgical innovation are essential.

Observation:

• The history of surgery features prominent individual innovators, but collective progress has sometimes been impeded.
• Surgery's progress relies on research and attracting top talent, yet innovation support remains inconsistent.
• While impressive, surgical innovation has historically lacked consistent support structures.

Findings:

• Established knowledge in technology innovation has not been extensively applied to the surgical domain.
• New surgical innovation centers are actively working to define the field and its promotion strategies.
• Understanding, translating, and commercializing surgical advances are key responsibilities.

Implications:

• Systematic approaches to surgical innovation are needed to address clinical challenges.
• Consistent and rational support for surgical innovation is vital for the profession's future.
• Bridging the gap between technology innovation research and surgical practice can accelerate progress.