Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Ageism has been suggested as a cause for the undertreatment of elderly breast cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and causes of elderly patients not receiving standard therapy. ⋯ Population-based studies of breast cancer treatment do not adequately assess the complex decision making associated with breast cancer in the elderly. Patients do not receive standard care for specific reasons.
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Surgical subspecialization has croded the traditional domain of the general surgeon. The purpose of this study was to assess the volume and distribution of colon and rectal cases performed by general surgeons. ⋯ General surgeons perform a substantial number of colon resections and relatively few anorectal cases. It is unclear whether this is an issue of anorectal training in general surgery programs or referral patterns.
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The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of stent-graft design and operator skills on outcomes after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. ⋯ Enhanced stent-graft design has improved the probability of stent-graft success after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Better technical skills and increased use of intraoperative adjunctive procedures may also have contributed to improved results.
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Approximately 1,000 individuals complete graduate surgical education in general surgery each year. Their subsequent career pathways have not been described but may have relevance to the supply of general surgeons available to provide a broad range of surgical care to the population of the USA. ⋯ Most surgeons who completed a general surgery residency program from 1983 to 1990 are certified and presumably have met high standards for knowledge and experience. More than half of the graduates specialize further.