Surgical illustration: the role, the reason, and the route

Abstract

Surgical illustration plays a fundamental role in the surgical field, being able to convey imagery in a more comprehensive way. However, its utility has seen a decline and being slowly replaced by photographs and 3D models. Surgeons are in a unique position that is optimum for producing surgical illustrations due to having direct contact and possesses a deep knowledge of the subject being drawn. The process of producing an illustration may also be valuable to the long-term conceptual understanding of that surgeon. This article aims to highlight the field of surgical illustration, its future potential, and act as a guide for surgeons to start illustrating.

Keywords:

• Medical illustration
• surgical illustration
• illustration
• art
• surgery
• surgical education

Acknowledgement

The author thanks Associate Professor Vor Luvira for the preparation of intraoperative photographs and surgical specimens.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).