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The term surgery derives from the Greek words χέρι (hand) and ἔργον (work). However, it is likely that surgical techniques first appeared before other medical practices. Indeed, there are archeological findings dating back to the Paleolithic which suggest that some sort of surgical activity was already being carried out, such as trepanning. Furthermore, there is evidence that the Egyptians were capable of performing highly specialized surgical techniques, with doctors benefiting from the anatomical knowledge of embalmers. The first regulation of the medical profession dates back to the Old Kingdom, whereas the world’s oldest depiction of a surgical procedure—a circumcision—can be found at the entrance to the temple in Memphis. The first example of regulating the practice of physicians and surgeons can be attributed to some of the laws found in the Code of Hammurabi (1792–1759 BC), which provided for both monetary sanctions and corporal punishment in the event of medical errors.

The contributions contained in this book have shed light on some trends and challenges for the future of abdominal wall surgery. First and foremost, the professionalism of surgeons is evolving. Indeed, surgeons must acknowledge that surgical outcomes will not depend so much on their knowledge and skills alone but rather on the contributions of many professionals working together in harmony. Thus, while developing new surgical techniques will continue to be important, so will building close-knit teams of people who are motivated to work together to meet the real needs of patients in the best possible way. Members of these teams will have to accept the principle that they can no longer be good at what they do “individually”, but rather “together”. Thus, the type of leadership required will have to shift from technical/professional leadership to organizational and motivational leadership.

In this chapter we present an overview of the contributions received from academics and practitioners invited to comment on Henry Mintzberg’s myths. The chapter is organized around nine paragraphs: each of them corresponds to one of the myths, according to the original Henry Mintzberg’s sequence; the last paragraph deals with Gummesson’s reflections and related comments.

The contributions in this volume have offered separate insights and frameworks and, around these, a mosaic of specific indications and applications which remain irreducibly various. There are indeed some common points, which deserve to be highlighted.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) means the adequate use of current, best scientific evidences in the process of decision-making about treatment of patients. In 2009, the European Hernia Society published the first guidelines for the management of inguinal hernia. After that, other scientific societies have faced these topics reaching in some cases an adequate level of evidence. Unfortunately, in other cases, the scientific community has failed in obtaining enough level of evidence in order to give strong or moderate recommendations for the daily clinical practice.

This chapter will bring together two bodies of the literature addressing some of the most important issues in contemporary public administration and governance: policy coordination and performance management.