ACS Brief

Latest Stories

Future-Forward Surgical Topics Dominate Quality and Safety Conference Program

May 20, 2025

Healthcare professionals dedicated to raising the bar on the quality of surgical care and patient safety are invited to attend the 2025 ACS Quality and Safety Conference, July 17–20 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California. Registration is now open.

Regional Collaboration Shines at Combined Chapter Meeting in Park City

May 20, 2025

Surgeons, residents, and medical students from across Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming gathered in Park City, Utah, March 21-23, for a combined ACS chapter meeting. The event featured outstanding presentations from residents and students, showcasing impressive clinical insight and research.

Modern EMS Builds on Lessons Learned from Pennsylvania’s Freedom House Ambulance Service

May 20, 2025

In November 1954, at the 40th Clinical Congress, past-Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma (COT) Robert H. Kennedy, MD, FACS, delivered the Oration on Trauma, calling for the need to improve two of the biggest weaknesses in trauma care: transport of the injured patient and prompt, efficient first aid.

Read this week's entire issue for the latest news on the ACS and the field of surgery.

May 20, 2025 Issue

ACS Brief

Help Create the Educational Program for 2026 Surgical Simulation Summit

The ACS-AEI Program Chairs are soliciting educational topics for the 2026 summit. Contribute your expertise and insights by June 16.

ACS Brief

Program Directors: Enroll Your Residents in ACS ERRA by May 30

Enrollment is now open for this innovative online, case-based instrument which measures the preparedness of entering surgical residents.

ACS Brief

International Surgeons: Apply for Community Surgeon Travel Award for Clinical Congress 2026

The ACS has announced travel awards for international surgeons aged 30 to 50. The deadline to apply is July 1.

ACS Brief

Military Clinical Readiness Curriculum Offers Just-in-Time Education for Military and Civilians Surgeons

To help surgeons achieve and maintain their clinical readiness, the ACS offers a free, online curriculum.

ACS Brief

Take Advantage of ACS Member Discounts for Medical Liability Insurance, Travel, and More

As a member of the American College of Surgeons you are able to unlock savings on products and services you can use every day.

Don't Miss Out!

Go to your MyCME Portal today and verify your ABS ID and date of birth on the Board Certification Tab so you can have your CME data automatically transmitted to the ABS via ACCME.

ACS Colon Cancer Surgery Standards Can Be Applied Internationally

Colon cancer rates are rising around the world, including in younger individuals. The ACS recently hosted a webinar wherein panelists shared information on how the Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery manuals can provide guidance for surgeons who treat colon cancer in patients around the world.

Easily Incorporated EMR Interventions Can Improve Unused Opioid Disposal after Surgery

Despite guideline-directed opioid prescribing after an operation, many patients retain excess opioids that increase the risk for misuse, diversion, and dependency, but surgeons and care teams may be able to improve unused disposal rates with lightweight interventions. Listen to Dr. Richard Barth Jr. discuss his recently published article in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS) on how an EMR can aid in significantly increasing opioid disposal. Access to JACS is a free benefit of ACS membership.

Literature Selections

Metformin May Significantly Reduce Risk for Lymphedema after ALND

Lymphedema is a complication of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) affecting more than 30% of patients.

Microbiome Displacement, Adaptive Immunity Contribute to Scar Progression in iSGS

Authors used tissue from an international iSGS patient cohort and performed single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the cell types and molecular phenotypes within the scar.

Article Reviews Great Debate over Surgery versus GLP-1 Medications

Surgical intervention is underutilized, with less than 1% of eligible patients undergoing bariatric surgical procedures.

Surgical Treatment for Malignant Small Bowel Obstruction Offers Best Patient-Reported Outcomes

Malignant bowel obstruction is observed in nearly one-third of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

Past Issues

Brief Reviews

ACS Brief

Genetic Connections in Surgical Oncology

An exploration of literature on the importance of understanding genetic connections in different types of cancer and the use of precision medicine.

ACS Brief

Colonoscopy versus FIT-Fecal DNA for Colon Cancer Screening

Examines current literature on scientific basis of colon cancer screening methods, specifically, the efficacy of colonoscopy vs FIT-fecal DNA testing.

ACS Brief

Laparoscopy in the Context of Trauma: Too Slow or Too Fast?

Examines current literature on the various uses, benefits, and limitations of laparoscopy in trauma care.

See More Brief Reviews