To Operate, or to Not Operate

Written by: Arshad Mohammed | Edited by: James Kim

Over the summer, I had the pleasure to shadow surgeons at an overseas hospital. After seeing life-altering procedures and the intricate details of human anatomy up close, this experience has solidified my desire to become a surgeon.

Surgeons have the privilege to correct and treat structural issues, and oftentimes they can provide immediate relief. People are trusting you with their lives, and you have to reassure them in a time of great emotional distress. Being confident and making patients feel comfortable during the entire process is a crucial skill. The intimate nature of this patient-doctor relationship means you are there during the lowest of lows or the highest of highs.

However, during my experience, I soon learned that a great surgeon also knows when to operate and when not to. My mentor, an orthopedic surgeon, would always explain to his patients in the clinic that surgery is a last resort. Surgery should only be considered when the symptoms of your conditions make everyday life difficult and your quality of life plummets. The potential benefits should always outweigh the risks. 

This was exemplified when my mentor saw a patient with a broken arm in his clinic. This middle-aged patient came in with his mother. The patient felt a screw pop out of a metal plate in his arm a few days prior. Further inspection confirmed this, and he required surgery. The patient explained he was a police officer who needed to go on duty and he couldn’t afford another surgery on his arm. Over 2 years, he had undergone 5 surgeries because of complications with infections and screw placement. 

His arm was so weak he could not lift a water bottle. As he recounted the car accident that gave him this broken arm, his mother started weeping. She sobbed and said, “my son was as strong as an ox. Now he is a cripple. Can’t you do anything?”. Dr. X weighed both options and let the patient decide. He chose to forgo the surgery. 

As healthcare professionals, we need to consider the wellness of the patient as a whole. We can’t make tough decisions on their behalf. Sometimes, preserving the quality of life is more important than treating illness. This humanistic side of medicine is what drives me to be a physician.