| Abstract: | Background: The historically unprecedented severe acute respiratory syndrome crisis saw eight Hong Kong health care workers sacrificing their lives in the line of duty – Dr James TK Lau was the first one. The reviewer looks back at a specific time in the life of this colleague's outstanding career from the end of 1980 to mid‐1984. A Medline search showed that during this short time, Dr Lau published 22 articles in international prestigious journals as first author, as well as being a co‐author for many papers (as well as several local papers). These articles, ranging from experimental study (one), randomized controlled study (one), clinical observations (six), case reports (three) to new techniques (11), reflect the author's inquisitiveness, ingenuity, resourcefulness and most importantly, incessant quest for technical perfection through meticulous attention to detail. Of note, many of the innovative techniques have stood the test of time and have been assimilated into everyday practice. Authoring 21 paediatric surgery papers in international journals over a short span of time was truly remarkable, and also, unprecedented locally. This could not have happened without one most memorable attribute – total devotion – that was clearly evident at all times of his life, and in particular, the final times of his life.   |
