ABSTRACT
The heritage of surgery provides many things of which we are proud. However, one of the things for which we have struggled needlessly is our past willingness to perform procedures blindly, or at least with less precision and guidance than we could have had. Chest tubes, central lines, paracentesis, thoracentesis, drains: we provided these services by knowing the anatomy so well that we almost always got them in the right place. When newer imaging options became available, we were slow to utilize them. Consequently, many of these procedures have been passed to other specialists who are able to use imaging for better precision. Other disciplines have established for themselves the importance of imaging and guidance in performing procedures. This explains why cardiologists and radiologists have at their disposal millions of dollars worth of imaging equipment on a 24/7 basis, and it is assumed to be an absolute necessity, and yet, many surgeons are still being forced to argue for imaging capabilities on a case-by-case basis. We did not convince ourselves early enough that imaging was important. As we have become convinced, we have been only partially successful at convincing others, such as hospital administrators. If we really want to see, we need to make it clear to everyone, both within and outside our Qeld, that we must be able to see well and at all times.
