Surgery

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Jim Hu, MD, MPH

We are still working to minimize the major risks of complications involved in minimally invasive prostatectomy. This becomes even more important as more patients undergo these procedures. How has the training and certification process impacted our success? What improvements can we expect in this minimally invasive technique to treat prostate cancer in the years to come? For answers to these questions and many more, host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill welcomes Dr. Jim Hu, assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and director of minimally invasive urologic oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Jim Hu, MD, MPH

Research indicates that demand for minimally invasive prostatectomy is growing, from 12 percent to more than 30 percent of our candidate patients over a recent two-year span. But research also tells us that there are still drawbacks to a laparoscopic approach to prostate cancer. What are the immediate and enduring pitfalls to laparoscopy, and are these concerns outweighed by the perceived benefits? Dr. Jim Hu, assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and director of minimally invasive urologic oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, explains why some surgeons may stick with the open procedure, even as others move ahead with the laparoscopic approach. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Dana Christian Lynge, MD

Dropping reimbursement for general surgical procedures and increased everyday expenses are two issues, in addition to many others, that make the future viability of a general surgery practice a more difficult proposition. What if this disturbing trend continues? Could medicine withstand the loss of general surgery altogether? Dr. Dana Christian Lynge, associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and practicing general surgeon, peers into a theoretical future without general surgeons. What does he see? Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Dana Christian Lynge, MD

Training, recruiting and retaining general surgeons are key workforce issues for many hospitals across the United States. In a broad sense, these concerns impact the entire field of surgery, from students interested in surgery, to the most established surgeons in practice. What can our profession do to reconcile these issues? Dr. Dana Christian Lynge, associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and practicing general surgeon, details his research, published in the Archives of Surgery, that has served to highlight much of the unease surrounding this issue. It used to be that many surgeons with subspecialty certifications also trained in general surgery, but now, their time in general surgery has decreased significantly: how is this trend affecting the matters at hand?

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Dana Christian Lynge, MD

A nationwide survey reveals that the number of general surgeons has dropped 25 percent in the past 25 years. A continuation of this decline could have profound implications on patient populations that depend on general surgeons. What are the key demographic concerns surrounding a potential national shortage of general surgeons? Dr. Dana Christian Lynge, associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and practicing general surgeon, details his research, published in the Archives of Surgery, on a nationwide shortfall of general surgeons. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Dana Christian Lynge, MD

Thirty to forty years ago, the field of general surgery was truly flourishing. General surgeons treated patients for an array of surgical conditions, as the concept of present day sub-specialties had yet to take hold. What has led to this significant shift in the focus of general surgery? Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill welcomes Dr. Dana Christian Lynge, associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and practicing general surgeon, to discuss the evolution of general surgery in the context of Dr. Lynge's research in the Archives of Surgery on the national shortage of general surgeons.

Host: John Armstrong, MD

Guest: Lt. Col. Lorne Blackbourne, MD

The United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (ISR) tracks every casualty from Iraq and Afghanistan, probing for injuries that may be preventable. One area of focus includes isolated extremity wounds. Col. Dr. Lorne Blackbourne, commander of the ISR in San Antonio, details key advances in field tourniquets and hemostatic agents that optimize outcomes for our soldiers. Are these products also being dispatched in civilian care settings? Find out more with host Dr. John Armstrong.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Alan Hemming, MD

As we extend the bounds of surgical resection for hepatic malignancies, we overcome previously held limitations of our efforts against liver disease. How do our techniques and theories on hepatic resection also relate back to hepatic transplantation? Are we developing more effective strategies to protect the liver during surgery? Dr. Alan Hemming, professor of surgery and chief of transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine, also peers into the future to examine the potential role of laparoscopy or endoscopy in hepatic surgery. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Alan Hemming, MD

In recent years, extensive debate has centered around the possibility of further extending the scope of hepatic resection. With research now demonstrating the potential value of extended resection, will more patients be offered this as a treatment option? Are there common complications to consider when evaluating a candidate for this surgery? Dr. Alan Hemming, professor of surgery and chief of transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine, explains the next steps toward entrenching extended resection in our arsenal of treatment for hepatic disease. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Guest: Alan Hemming, MD

For patients with severe hepatic malignancy, attempts to cure their illness are rarely, if ever, successful. We're learning, however, that a more aggressive surgical approach may extend survival rates well beyond those of our previous techniques. Dr. Alan Hemming, professor of surgery and chief of transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine, details his pursuit of novel measures to surgically address severe hepatic malignancies with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill.