“Surgical techniques” is a subject relating to the principles of surgery. Traditionally it discusses instrumentation, tools
and sterile techniques used to perform safe operations by generations of surgeons. A relatively new, but continuously
expanding element is linked to the development of clinical surgery. This part involves surgical research on the patho￾physiology of the perioperative period, and scientific studies on the consequences of invasive procedures on the body
functions and on the relationship of surgery and patient care in general. These aspects are of utmost importance for
the achievement of good surgical results. In brief, “surgical techniques” is concerned with the methodology of classi￾cal surgery, and may also be regarded as the deontology of modern surgery (deontology = theory of obligations).
This handbook is based on the topics presented on the graduate courses at the Institute of Surgical Research at the
University of Szeged. These courses do not cover all aspects of clinical surgery; the intention is rather to give a general
overview of basic techniques which could be used in practice in all major fields and subspecialties. There are a number
of conventional surgical techniques that have been in use for some time and the scalpel is the symbolic instrument of
these fields. However, it is being replaced by new and more effective surgical tools, sophisticated computer technology
and techniques such as laser, robotic or minimally invasive surgery. If we wish to be at the forefront of these advances,
the new methods should also be discussed.