To emphasize its strong commitment to and support of general surgery, the American College of Surgeons devotes its annual Spring meeting to the interests and needs of the practicing general surgeon. Program highlights are posted below.
The content of materials made available in this portion of the American College of Surgeon's Web site is not verified or endorsed by the American College of Surgeons, which does not guarantee the accuracy, thoroughness, reliability or quality of the materials and will not be responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The materials' authors are solely responsible for the content of their materials. The American College of Surgeons will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by reliance on information obtained from the materials made available from this portion of its Web site. THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE INFORMATION HEREIN, WHICH IS PROVIDED "AS IS."
Special Note: These files are in Adobe Acrobat format. To view Portable Document Files (PDF) download the free 
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
GENERAL SESSIONS
GS04 Clinical Abstract Presentations by Residents
Moderator:
Steven D. Wexner, MD, FACS, Weston, FL
Resident Moderator:
Barry J. Jenkins, MD, Augusta, GA
Residents Presenting Abstracts:
The Value of Radiological Imaging in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis (90K PDF)
Robert Baird, MD, Montreal, Canada
Percutaneous Tracheostomy, A Safe Procedure in the Morbidly Obese (570K PDF)
Mary Grace Heyrosa, MD, Allentown, PA
Ultrasound Non-Invasively Predicts Central Venous Pressure: A Prospective Study (280K PDF)
Deepak G. Nair, MD, Bronx, NY
Low Readings of Intraoperative Cerebral Oximetry are Associated with Adverse Outcomes after Heart Surgery (100K PDF)
Sorin V. Pusca, MD, Newark, NJ
Marketing of Bariatric Surgery on the Internet: Do University and Community Surgeons Differ? (2066K PDF)
Heena P. Santry, MD, Chicago, IL
GS10 Best Practices for the Repair of Common Hernias
Moderator:
Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, Salt Lake City, UT
Session Summary:
Participants can expect to learn about evidence-based recommendations for the repair of inguinal hernias and ventral/incisional hernias.
Introduction: Introductions and Summary of Results from VA Hernia Trial
Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, Salt Lake City, UT
Surgical Options in the Management of an Inguinal Hernia (2900K PDF)
Robert J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., MD, FACS, Omaha, NE
Mesh vs. Primary Repair of Incisional Hernias (680K PDF)
Mary T. Hawn, MD, FACS, Birmingham, AL
Open or Laparoscopic Repair of Incisional Hernias (650K PDF)
Kamal M.F. Itani, MD, FACS, West Roxbury, MA
Cases and Controversies (130K PDF)
Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, Salt Lake City, UT
GS11 Treatment of Acute Pain: Every Surgeon's Responsibility
Moderator:
Joseph M. Civetta, MD, FACS, Farmington, CT (430K PDF)
Panelist:
Richard Gannon, Pharm.D, Hartford, CT
Session Summary:
Acute pain is an expected part of most perioperative states. Because prior education of residents and current surgeons' knowledge has been limited, statistics show that undertreatment of pain occurs in 60 percent of surgical patients. Yet, the principles of treatment and the dimensions of both caregiver and patient perceptions form a small and easily attainable knowledge base. The question-and-answer series of case-based scenarios, with live audience participation and feedback, can provide the basic information necessary and kindle the "tension to learn" adult learners need.
GS13 Successful Implementation of New Paradigms for Surgical Residency Training
Moderator:
Richard H. Bell, Jr., MD, FACS, Chicago, IL
Session Summary:
This session will examine new models for resident education that have recently been implemented recently. The panel will examine the impact of these models on the quality of resident training, patient care, and the workplace environment.
Why Do We Need New Paradigms for Resident Training? (40K PDF)
Richard H. Bell, Jr., MD, FACS, Chicago, IL
A One-On-One Mentored Apprenticeship System in a University Hospital Residency (67K PDF)
John J. Coyle, MD, FACS, Chicago, IL
A One-On-One Mentored Apprenticeship System in a Community Hospital Residency (530K PDF)
Richard E. Welling, MD, FACS, Cincinnati, OH
A Night Float System - What Does it Really Accomplish? (90K PDF)
Marshall M. Urist, MD, FACS, Birmingham, AL
GS14 Ablative Options for Breast Cancer
Moderator:
V. Suzanne Klimberg, MD, FACS, Little Rock, AR
Session Summary:
Ablative techniques have been used in the treatment of metastatic hepatic tumors for several years. Surgeons treating both benign and malignant breast abnormalities have taken great interest in the advantages of percutaneous ablation over open surgical excision. Several small pilot trials attempting to treat fibroadenomas or small breast cancers with cryosurgery, laser ablation, and radiofrequency have been reported. All of these ablative techniques employ indirect heat to ultimately induce cell death. This session will review these options in greater depth.
Ablation of Margins after Percutaneous or Open Excision (6500K PDF)
V. Suzanne Klimberg, MD, FACS, Little Rock, AR
Breast Cancer Metastases: Local Ablation and other Methods of Prolonging Survival (5400K PDF)
Steven A. Curley, MD, FACS, Houston, TX
Percutaneous Tumor Ablation (6300K PDF)
Kambiz Dowlatshahi, MD, FACS, Chicago, IL
GS15 Ablation or Resection for Hepatic Metastases
Moderator:
William C. Chapman, MD, FACS, St. Louis, MO
Session Summary:
This session will address the indications, patient selection, techniques, and role of hepatic ablation in treatment of primary liver tumors and hepatic metastases. Important factors for patient selection and outcomes will be reviewed with participants.
Intraoperative Assessment for Tumor Resection and Ablative Therapy (2400K PDF)
Ravi S. Chari, MD, FACS, Nashville, TN
Potential Complications of Hepatic Ablation: When should it be Used? When should it Not? (11,300K PDF)
Anton J. Bilchick, MD, PhD, FACS, Santa Monica, CA
The Role of Ablation and Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (1200K PDF)
William C. Chapman, MD, FACS, St. Louis, MO
GS16 Update on Approaches to Anal Diseases
Session Summary:
At the completion of this session, participants can expect to understand new approaches to the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease, to recognize the significance of anal intraepithelial dysplasia and appropriate methods of treatment, and to be aware of new surgical approaches to the treatment of anal incontinence.
New Approaches to Hemorrhoidal Disease (700K PDF)
James W. Fleshman, MD, FACS, St. Louis, MO
Anal Incontinence (2400K PDF)
Eric G. Weiss, MD, FACS, Weston, FL
GS18 Making the Operating Room As Safe As the Cockpit
Moderator:
C. Wright Pinson, MD, FACS, Nashville, TN (7300K PDF)
Session Summary:
Participants will learn how training in teamwork and communication, using a successful aviation-based Crew Resource Management model, is used to improve patient safety and efficiency in operating rooms in a variety of hospitals.
GS19 Outcomes Research: Implications for Your Practice
Moderator:
J. Patrick O'Leary, MD, FACS, New Orleans, LA
Session Summary:
"Outcomes" has emerged as a "buzz" word in modern medicine. The difference between this new concept and the more pedestrian "results" implies a national benchmark for comparison. This panel bridges the gulf from the management of a national database in cardiac surgery, to hospital administration evaluating the results of the most demanding of technical procedures, to the private practitioner of surgery in a midsized community that lurks in the shadow of a major metroplex. A spirited discussion is anticipated as each of these experts makes a case in an erudite and interactive forum.
Regionalization for Tertiary Care? Future Directions in Volume Outcomes Research (610K PDF)
Toby A. Gordon, ScD, Baltimore, MD
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database: Quality Improvement or Provider Profiling? (790K PDF)
T.B. Ferguson, Jr., MD, FACS, New Orleans, LA
