Quick-Fire Session Spotlights 10 Hot Topics in General Surgery

In this popular 90-minute session, distinguished panelists will explore compelling topics that are fueling discussions throughout general surgery, selected from the ACS Communities, scientific conferences, and current research literature.

For the 12th time at Clinical Congress, ACS President E. Christopher Ellison, MD, FACS, and ACS Regent Kenneth W. Sharp, MD, FACS, have paired up to co-moderate Ten Hot Topics in General Surgery, which takes place on Wednesday, October 25, from 12:45 pm to 2:15 pm in Ballroom East.

“We’re going prime time this year,” said Dr. Ellison, referring to the new day and afternoon time slot for this year’s session. (Clinical Congress 2023 ends on Wednesday instead of Thursday as it has in previous years.)

In this rapid-fire style session, a panel featuring experts in general surgery will present a series of 6-minute presentations on topics that are cutting edge and controversial.

“Honestly, with these fast-paced presentations, we have to depend a little bit on the skill of the speaker,” explained Dr. Sharp. “Between Dr. Ellison and me, we know 95% of these speakers personally, and we know that they can give a very focused talk in just a few minutes.”

Each presentation will be immediately followed by a 3-minute, unscripted discussion with the audience, representing a variety of thoughts and perspectives, and providing attendees with takeaway information for future reflection.

“We know that all ten topics will not suit every surgeon,” said Dr. Sharp. “But we really believe every attendee will come away with information that will be useful in their own practices—or that will stimulate them to look at two or three new areas that they don’t know much about.”

This year’s session will cover a wide scope of topics, each representing new and emerging areas of interest in general surgery, including a presentation by Patricia Sylla, MD, FACS, on transanal mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

“This is a very advanced surgical technique that not everyone will adopt or use—but they should be aware of it because it enhances recovery and gives patients a better quality outcome than some of the standard techniques,” Dr. Ellison said.

Dr. Sharp added that while this cutting-edge technique likely will be limited to high-volume colorectal surgeons, “if you don't know about some of the new advances, you can't take advantage of them.”

The full agenda for this year’s session includes:

Repair of Paraesophesophageal Hiatal Hernias—Add a Fundoplication or Not?
Kelly Haisley, MD, FACS, Columbus, OH

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters—Tips and Tricks
M. T. Nelson, MD, FACS, Tulsa, OK

Transanal Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer
Patricia Sylla, MD, FACS, New York, NY

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonists—The End of Bariatric Surgery?
Matthew D. Spann, MD, FACS, Nashville, TN

Perforated Duodenal Ulcers: Close or Patch—And How?
Jon C. Gould, MD, FACS, Milwaukee, WI

Biliary Dyskinesia—Why Are We Still Debating This?
Bryan K. Richmond, MD, MBA, FACS, Charleston, WV

Appendiceal Carcinoma: Decision-Making for the General Surgeon
Matthew F. Kalady, MD, FACS, Columbus, OH

Transoral Thyroidectomy
William B. Inabnet III, MD, MHA, FACS, Lexington, KY

Surgical Rib Fixation in Trauma—Who and When?
Brian J. Daley, MD, FACS, Knoxville, TN

Choosing Wisely—Management of the Axilla in Women over 70 with Breast Cancer
Kelly C. Hewitt, MD, FACS, Nashville, TN

This session also will be available for on-demand viewing.