3 Review(s)

 provides readers with real-life accounts and case studies, regarding surgeries and the various risks and uncertainties that form a part of modern medical science. Summary Of The Book Complications: Notes From The Life Of A Young Surgeon narrates the experiences of doctors and surgeons, and proves that medicine as a science, also has it shortcomings. Gripping stories of decisions that have to be made in split seconds in the operation theatre, will reveal a different side of the medical profession. The incidents in the book are categorised into three sections, fallibility, mystery, and uncertainty. While talking of fallibility, the book cites examples of how doctors are human too, and they are equally prone to mistakes. On some occasions, these mistakes could also cost a person’s life. The section on mystery talks of certain conditions for which there is no sound scientific explanation. These things still occur, and the author has provided real-life examples to be looked into. Symptoms like blushing or nausea are not uncommon, yet difficult to understand why it happens. Complications: Notes From The Life Of A Young Surgeon also deals with the fact that a doctor or surgeon makes a decision based on his or her personal experience, and not necessarily on scientific facts. Many interesting case studies are discussed in this book. One case describes a patient having a red patch on her leg. The doctor needs to figure whether it is actually a flesh eating bacteria or not. Another case deals with a news anchor who has a serious case of blushing, which hampers her career. Is surgery the only way to cure her? This book is a page-turner and unravels the finer points of what goes on in a doctor’s mind. About Atul Gawande Atul Gawande is a writer, and a surgeon by profession. He has authored books such as The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right, and Better: A Surgeon's Notes On Performance. He was born in New York, in 1965, and went on to study at Stanford University, and Harvard Medical School. He spent time working with the team on Al Gore’s presidential campaign. He later served as an advisor for the Department of Health and Human Services, during Clinton’s tenure. He is currently employed at Boston’s reputed Brigham and Women's Hospital as a general and endocrine surgeon. He also teaches at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. Besides his medical practise, Gawande writes for publications like Slate and The New Yorker.