Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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In early-stage lung cancer, evidence is accumulating for the benefits of lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) over open lobectomy. Few thoracic training programs offer sufficient experience in this technically demanding procedure. This article describes the evolution of a new graduate's practice from open thoracotomy to VATS lobectomy. ⋯ With our approach, new graduates of thoracic surgery programs can safely transition to VATS lobectomy. Gaining experience with the lateral muscle-sparing thoracotomy is an important step in the transition, as it offers similar operative exposure. Longterm disease-free and overall survival data are needed to evaluate our oncologic efficacy with this approach.
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Comparative Study
Association of race and gender with general surgeons' annual incomes.
Specialty, work effort, and gender have been shown to be associated with physicians' annual incomes. Although female plastic, oral, and cardiothoracic surgeons have been shown to have lower incomes than their male counterparts, differences in incomes attributable to gender or race among general surgeons have not been evaluated. ⋯ During the 1990s, among Caucasian general surgeons, female gender was associated with considerably lower annual incomes; among male general surgeons, African-American race was associated with lower annual incomes, but not substantially so. These findings warrant additional exploration to ensure that income differences among physicians are not unjustly determined by race or gender.
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Despite intense research efforts, incisional hernias continue to be a problem in patients who undergo laparotomy. This study was designed to reinforce the midline laparotomy closure by including a new prosthetic design between the edges of the surgical wound. ⋯ The use of a nonabsorbable biomaterial for midline laparotomy closure significantly improves its biomechanical resistance. Used in high-risk patients or even prophylactically, this technique could reduce the incidence of incisional hernia.