The Surgical Index publishes abstracts of leading articles on topics of interest to surgeons. The abstracts are intended to provide convenient access to what the editor believes to be the most important articles in the monthly surgical literature. While the editor believes these abstracts are, to the best of his ability, accurate and inclusive of the pertinent data from each article, the abstracts are not intended to be substitutes for the original articles. Indeed, the purpose of abstracting articles would be defeated by making them fully comprehensive. Therefore, readers must rely only on the original articles and other sources and not on the abstracts per se in considering, advising, or rendering any medical treatment or drug dosage. By use of The Surgical Index, the reader agrees that no action will be taken or permitted on the basis of the abstracts or the editorial opinions expressed, and that the publisher, editor, and employees of The Surgical Index and the officers and employees of the American College of Surgeons are released from any liability based on the abstracts and held harmless from any claims of others.