J Surg Res 2020; 3 (3): 309-316 DOI: 10.26502/jsr.10020086 Journal of Surgery and Research 309 Short Communication What Can Complex Abdominal Wall Hernia Surgeons Learn About Quality of Life From Ancient Greek Philosophers? Olivia Smith 1 , Miriam Isaac 2 , Thomas Elanjithara 3 , Praminthra Chitsabesan 1 and Srinivas Chintapatla 1* 1 York Abdominal Wall Unit, York Teaching Hospital, York, UK YO31 8HE, UK 2 Consultant Psychiatrist in National Deaf Child and Adolescent mental health services, Consultant Psychiatrist in Intellectual Disabilities, Specialist interest in Sleep psychiatry, National Deaf CAMHS, York Team, Lime trees, 31 Shipton Road, YO30 5 RE, UK 3 Consultant Psychiatrist and medical lead in Brian injury Rehabilitation, Disabilities Trust, 107 Heslington Road, York, YO10 5BN, UK * Corresponding Author: Srinivas Chintapatla, York Abdominal Wall Unit, York Teaching Hospital, York, UK YO31 8HE, E-mail: srinivas.chintapatla@york.nhs.uk Received: 21 August 2020; Accepted: 02 September 2020; Published: 09 September 2020 Citation: Olivia Smith, Miriam Isaac, Thomas Elanjithara, Praminthra Chitsabesan and Srinivas Chintapatla. What Can Complex Abdominal Wall Hernia Surgeons Learn About Quality of Life From Ancient Greek Philosophers?. Journal of Surgery and Research 3 (2020): 309-316. Abstract Ancient philosophers were the first to explore the concept of quality of life. Their conceptual views although complemented, challenged or replaced by other schools of thought such as Positivism, still underpin many modern thoughts pertaining to quality of life. QoL and its measurement are vital in healthcare. Often it is a perceived deterioration in QoL that prompts a surgical consult. Here we outline some Greek philosophical thoughts about quality of life and highlight implications for the complex abdominal wall hernia surgeon. Keywords: Quality of life; Hernia; Philosophy