Surgical Antifragility Lessons Learned from Endometriosis Surgery

Emad Mikhail, Horace Roman
In: Journal of Gynecologic Surgery · 2024 · vol. 40(5) , pp. 316–318 · doi:10.1089/gyn.2024.0035 · W4400093390
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This viewpoint article advocates for adopting antifragility in endometriosis surgery, emphasizing growth through uncertainty and developing confident humility to enhance surgical expertise in complex cases.

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Abstract

In this viewpoint article, we examine the concept of antifragility in the context of endometriosis surgery. The notion of antifragility, as described by Nassim Taleb, extends beyond resilience, emphasizing growth and improvement through challenges and uncertainties. This article discusses the necessity of embracing antifragility in the operating room, particularly in complex and unpredictable cases such as endometriosis surgery. The traditional surgical training, which focuses heavily on technical skills and anatomical knowledge, often neglects the development of judgment, mindset, and operating room management. The importance of keeping a balance between intentionality and preparedness in surgery while also acknowledging the crucial role of randomness and uncertainty in fostering surgical growth and expertise. Antifragile surgeons excel in environments of unpredictability, leveraging both fast and slow cognitive processes to navigate complex procedures and unexpected complications. Ultimately, we advocate for a paradigm shift towards achieving “confident humility” in surgical practice, encouraging surgeons to continuously learn and adapt, thus enhancing their ability to handle increasingly complex cases.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK