Scrubcast

In this episode of Scrubcast, breast surgeon and surgical oncologist Dr. Irene Wapnir discusses the evolution of breast cancer care, from the widespread use of mastectomy to breast-conserving approaches. Wapnir discusses what drew her to the field, including its emotional and psychological dimensions, and explains how clinical trials have shaped her career and advanced the understanding of breast cancer treatment.

The conversation explores Wapnir’s work on the CALOR trial, the ongoing NORDIS trial for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, and research examining whether wider surgical margins reduce local recurrence following lumpectomy and radiation. She also explains why further research is needed for patients with local or regional recurrence, reflects on the influence of pioneering surgeon Bernard Fisher, and shares the advice and music that have accompanied her career.

Link to article in JAMA SURGERY: “Lumpectomy Margins and Local Recurrence in DCIS” https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2850854

*Music by NastelBom*

On this episode of Scrubcast, Dr. Alma Cepika, assistant professor in the Division of General Surgery and chief of its new Surgical Sciences Section, explains how regulatory T cells help prevent the immune system from causing unnecessary damage. She introduces the differences between FOXP3 regulatory Tcells and type 1 regulatory T cells, or TR1 cells, and makes concepts such as multi-omics, transcription, epigenetics, and in vivo research accessible through everyday analogies.

The conversation explores her team’s research identifying TR1-like cells in human cancers and investigating whether these cells may suppress antitumor immunity or contribute to resistance to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Dr. Cepika also discusses the complex role of TR1 cells in transplantation and persistentinfection.

Finally, she shares how advice from a movie helps her keep her calm, reveals her preference for punk rock in the lab, and describes opportunities for researchers and trainees to join her growing laboratory.

Link to article in Science Advances.

*Music by NastelBom*

In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker sits down with Dr. Shipra Arya, a professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery at Stanford University, to discuss her journey into vascular surgery and her groundbreaking clinical trials. The conversation first delves into her recent PAUSE trial, which focuses on improving outcomes for frail patients undergoing surgery by fostering multidisciplinary collaboration. As she prepares to share her findings, Dr. Arya expresses her passion for advancing health services research and optimizing patient care.

The discussion also explores Dr. Arya's new WARRIORS trial, which will address the critical issue of sex-specific screening guidelines in vascular health particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in women. Dr. Arya emphasizes the need for tailored research to better understand the risk factors for women, citing the inadequate application of existing male-centric data. With an insightful commentary on leadership in surgery and personal growth, Dr. Arya shares her commitment to making meaningful contributions to her field while leading with a team-oriented approach.

Learn more about the WARRIORS Trial: https://warriorstrialusa.stanford.edu/

*Music By Nastelbom*

Amin Etemad is the first staff member featured on Scrubcast and a vital contributor to quality improvement (QI) at Stanford Surgery. Amin shares his journey from growing up in a medical family to pursuing an MBA in Medical Management. He discusses the importance of QI in the surgical field, how QI is structured within the department, and the critical role data plays in enhancing patient outcomes and communication among healthcare providers. Amin also highlights innovative initiatives like SurgIQ, a program designed to involve surgical residents in quality improvement early in their training. Tune in to discover how Amin and his team are making a lasting impact in healthcare delivery and patient experiences.

Video of Frank Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim

Listen to his talk at HEC

In this episode of Scrubcast, Assistant Professor Dr. Dawesdiscusses what drew him to colorectal surgery—including his love for intestinal surgery, the field's breadth from minor anorectal procedures to complex pelvic surgeries, the welcoming culture, and love of new technology.

Dr. Dawes highlights exciting advances in robotic surgery,including performing California's first single-port colectomy with Dr. Gahagan. He explains how single-port robotic technology is particularly beneficial for natural orifice procedures, such as transanal surgery for rectal polyps and cancers, as well as operations involving stomas. While he acknowledges that robotic surgery won't completely replace traditional open surgery—especially for complex reoperative cases—he believes it's lowering the technical barriers for minimally invasive procedures and expanding what surgeons can offer patients. As Stanford's Director of Robotic Education, he has been revamping the surgical residency curriculum to make robotic training more transparent and accessible, with clear milestones for both residents and faculty.

Read about his new K award: https://surgery.stanford.edu/news2/dawes-k08.html

On this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker speaks with Dr.Catherine Curtin, a professor specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford University's Department of Surgery. Dr. Curtin explains that peripheral nerves—nerves outside the brain and spinal cord—are the "neglected children" of medicine and can cause a wide range of problems from headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome. Her new favorite nerve isthe peroneal nerve, which is located on the outside of the knee. She discusses common issues related to this nerve, including foot drop and clumsiness, while sharing insights from her research aimed at identifying individuals at higherrisk of peripheral nerve injuries. The conversation also touches on the importance of preventative measures and advancements in diagnosing these conditions. Dr. Curtin discusses her research aimed at identifying at-risk individuals before they experience falls and injuries.

Don’t miss the episode's "lightning round" when Dr.Curtin shares her admiration for her mentor Dr. Rod Hentz, her mantra to "be the blessing," and her unique approach of letting awake patients choose the operating room music …and threatening to play Justin Bieber if they can't decide!

Link to International Orthopaedics articles:

An overview of common peroneal nerve dysfunction and systematic assessment of its relation to falls

Carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis as a risk factor for falls