The christmas procedure: a surgical approach to holiday cooking

Abstract

Surgeons are known for their steady hands, decision-making skills, and, according to some, their self-admiration. Nevertheless, even the most skilled surgeon can fall victim to the chaos of the holiday season, particularly when it comes to the age-old tradition of Christmas dinner.As Christmastide comes into sight, the surgeon’s skills seem to be of considerable use at the dinner table. Gone are the scalpels and the smell of electrocautered vessels, replaced by spatulas and the comforting aroma of the turkey cooking in the oven. Many surgeons can put their surgical personality to use [1], to be precise, if the ringing of the pager does not salt the Christmas game.The gastronomical journey starts with the assembly of the Christmas menu [2]. Whether figuring out the best way to carve the turkey or mastering the art of the perfect roast potato, surgeons approach each task with an open-minded willingness to learn and adapt. Although this part of the operation seems like a piece of cake, it is only through thorough preparation, and the meticulous scheduling of the operating theatre management [3], that the surgeon finds his or her way through.