Surgery

Host: John Armstrong, MD

Guest: Col. Jim Ficke, MD

Many of the extremity injuries suffered in Iraq and Afghanistan are similar to those seen in previous conflicts. But according to Dr. Jim Ficke, chief of orthopaedic surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, and an orthopaedic consultant to the United States Army Surgeon General, the wounds are occurring at a notably higher rate. How are we keeping up with these injuries? Dr. Ficke credits new debridement and external fixation techniques as key advances. Learn more with host Dr. John Armstrong.

Host: Lee Freedman, MD

Guest: Craig Israelite, MD

In surgery, we strive for less invasive procedures that still allow for the greatest precision possible. Developments in image-guided surgery are helping us meet this goal. Dr. Craig Israelite, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, joins host Dr. Lee Freedman to discuss computer-assisted tools for surgery. How has the field evolved since its inception ten years ago? What are the key risks or drawbacks to consider with this technology?

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Guest: Richard Goode, MD

Are your patients' expectations too high? Could docs be at fault for setting those expectations? Dr. Richard Goode, professor of otolaryngology at Stanford University Medical Center, joins host Dr. Larry Kaskel to discuss his recent article, The Unhappy Patient Following Facial Plastic Surgery: What to Do? and analyze why some patients will always be dissatisfied with the results. Tune in to hear how to identify those unhappy patients before they undergo a procedure. Does surgeons have an ethical obligation to treat and/or refuse treatment to these patients?

Host: John Armstrong, MD

Guest: Col. Leon Moores, MD

Many brain trauma injuries suffered in the current conflicts abroad are unparalleled in severity. At the same time, procedural advances are allowing for unprecedented rates of survival and returns to functional quality of life. Col. Dr. Leon Moores, former chief of neurosurgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, joins host Dr. John Armstrong for a fascinating conversation about new techniques to alleviate brain swelling and facilitate subsequent bone reconstruction, as part of our increasingly aggressive approach to care.

Host: John Armstrong, MD

Guest: Maj. Molly Klote, MD

The current military engagements abroad are bringing new areas of activity to the forefront of Army medicine. The slate of ongoing research includes a focus on trauma pain management. How will this revolutionize the standard of care on the battlefield and beyond? Maj. (Promotable) Dr. Molly Klote, an allergist/immunologist and chief of the Research Review Service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, shares fascinating insights with host Dr. Armstrong.

Host: John Armstrong, MD

Guest: Maj. Colin Meghoo, MD

Maj. Dr. Colin Meghoo, a general surgeon at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, shares experiences in mass casualty management from Iraq with host Dr. John Armstrong. For care providers, a team-oriented approach is essential to expeditiously and safely treat a never-ending stream of patients, from local nationals to American service staff. Dr. Meghoo emphasizes practice drills and tested strategies toward maximizing every team member's contribution.

Host: John Armstrong, MD

Guest: Col. David Burris, MD

The history of trauma care can be followed through the history of war. With serious battlefield wounds demanding swift and immediate action, how has modern military medicine improved our ability to execute response protocol for these injuries? Col. Dr. David Burris, professor and chair of surgery at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, details measures for training and oversight of our responding medical units. Dr. John Armstrong hosts.

Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD

Guest: Ash Tewari, MD

Does robotic surgery for radical prostatectomy provide better outcomes? Our guest Dr. Tewari Ash, director of robotic prostatectomy and prostate cancer-urologic oncology outcomes at Brady Urology Institute and associate professor of associate professor of public health and outcomes in the Department of Public Health and Outcomes at The Weill Medical College of Cornell University talks with host Dr. Bruce Bloom about the history, current practice and future of robotic surgery. The hope is that one day the real time information gathered by the computer during the surgery will provide the surgeon with feedback that can enable them to do an even better job at removing the cancer.

Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD

Guest: Ash Tewari, MD

Would experienced video gamers have a leg up in operating the DaVinci robot used in robotic surgery for prostate cancer? Dr. Ash Tewari, associate professor of urology, and director of Robotic Prostatectomy & Prostate Cancer-Urologic Oncology Outcomes at Brady Urology Institute, and associate professor of public health and outcomes at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, answers this question posed by your host, Dr. Bruce Bloom. Listen in as Dr. Tewari describes the arena of this valuable surgical asset and why he labels the use of the Davinci robot - a technology originally designed for military and astronaut use - as a "marriage made in heaven" for prostatectomy.

Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD

Guest: Ash Tewari, MD

Are your patients potential candidates for robotic prostatectomy? How precisely does robotic surgery treat prostate cancer while maintaining urinary and sexual function? Host Dr. Bruce Bloom addresses these questions with Dr. Ash Tewari, associate professor of urology, and director of Robotic Prostatectomy & Prostate Cancer-Urologic Oncology Outcomes at Brady Urology Institute at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Tewari discusses candidate selection, the benefits of the robotic technique, and the most important factor for a successful surgery. What is it? Tune in to find out!