Surgery Breakthroughs
Published on 11. November 2025
32 pages
979-8-88770-365-7 (ISBN)
Description
Discover the dramatic evolution of surgery-from ancient bone saws to robotic arms and augmented reality.
Surgery Breakthroughs explores the fascinating history and future of surgical innovation. Created in collaboration with Mayo Clinic cardiac surgeon Elizabeth Stephens, M.D., Ph.D., this book introduces readers to the people and discoveries that have transformed surgery into a precise and powerful medical science. From the early days of surgery to today's high-tech, life-saving techniques, readers will learn about:
- The invention of anesthesia and antiseptic practices
- The development of heart surgery and the heart-lung bypass machine
- Minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopy and cardiac catheterization
- Robotic surgery and the da Vinci system
- Gamma Knife radiosurgery and AR-assisted spinal procedures
More details
Person
Pat McCaw, M.D., is a family practice physician and children's author from Eldridge, Iowa. She is passionate about using books to help children with emotional and health issues. In addition to writing, she practices family medicine part-time and is a faculty physician at a medical residency program. Pat teaches classes on how to use picture books in the classroom and writes online educational lessons on science and physiology. If she has any free time, she loves to hike and fish while spending time with her family. Her dog, Poppy, rules the household. Pat's website and blog is found at www.patmccawauthor.com.
Elizabeth H. Stephens, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Surgery in Cardiovascular Surgery at Mayo Clinic, specializing in congenital cardiac surgery. She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and Ph.D in Bioengineering from Rice University focusing on tissue engineering heart valves. She cares for both children and adults with complex congenital heart disease, with particular expertise in valve disease, heart failure, and heart transplantation.
Elizabeth H. Stephens, M.D., Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Surgery in Cardiovascular Surgery at Mayo Clinic, specializing in congenital cardiac surgery. She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and Ph.D in Bioengineering from Rice University focusing on tissue engineering heart valves. She cares for both children and adults with complex congenital heart disease, with particular expertise in valve disease, heart failure, and heart transplantation.
