Future directions of palliative surgery

Palliation has been increasingly recognized as an integral component of surgical practice for surgeons of all specialties. As the field of surgery evolves, so too will the role of palliation within the surgical specialties. This will be related to newer technologies, surgical and non-surgical, educational mandates, and how palliation is viewed by practitioners as well as patients. In addition, as evidence-based medicine gains more prominence, there will be expanded research opportunities for surgeons. Finally, the true interdisciplinary nature of palliative care needs the involvement of surgeons. Importantly, the evolution of palliative surgery will come to represent care for all that are suffering, not only those facing immanent death. This will have special import for surgeons who are called upon to manage problems in both chronic and emergent scenarios.