Disruptive visions: predictive simulation--between scientific method and clinical trial is the role of modeling and simulation in scientific discovery and validation.

The foundations of surgery have rested upon the passing of knowledge from generation to generation by mentors and manuscripts. Until the 1900 s, the passage of knowledge was through tradition. Since then, it has changed from observation and experience to the scientific method to clinical trials. A new approach, derived from other scientific disciplines, is that of predicting results from modeling and simulation, which will allow for acceleration of the process of validation of discoveries and optimizing the implementation of clinical trials in order to more rapidly transfer trusted knowledge from generation to generation.