Technical Standards for Cancer Surgery: Gastric Webinar

This forum will discuss evidence-based operative standards for the performance of gastric cancer surgery as outlined in the Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery, Volume 2. This will include review of technical standards and the rationale supporting these recommendations. At the completion of the activity, participants should be able to:

• Recognize the key operative standards for the performance of gastric cancer surgery endorsed by the American College of Surgeons Cancer Research Program and Cancer Surgery Standards Program. 
• Understand evidence-based rationale for these standards.
• Describe technical aspects of the operative standards.  
• Gain insight into current controversies and opportunities for ongoing improvement. 

In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners and speakers/authors/discussants/moderators) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest (termed by the ACCME as “ineligible companies”, defined below) held in the last 24 months (see below for definitions). Please note that first authors were required to collect and submit disclosure information on behalf of all other authors/contributors, if applicable.

Ineligible Company: The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.

Financial Relationships: Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.

Conflict of Interest: Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of an ineligible company with which he/she has a financial relationship.

The ACCME also requires that ACS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity. Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation.

Travis E. Grotz, MD, MS, FACS – Disclosed relationships with Agenus and Ferranova

Naruhiko Ikoma, MD, MS – Nothing to disclose

Daniel W. Nelson, DO, FACS, FSSO – Nothing to disclose

Vivian E. Strong, MD, FACS – Disclosed relationships with Astra Zeneca and Intuitive Surgical

Madeline B. Torres, MD – Nothing to disclose

Timothy Vreeland, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose

Tracy Wang, MD, FACS – Disclosed relationship with Intuitive Surgical

Amanda Francescatti, MS – Nothing to disclose

Bell Pastore – Nothing to disclose