Thoracic Surgery News (Archived)

Medication errors or adverse drug events after surgery occur in as many as one in twenty perioperative medication administrations, according to data published online in the journal Anesthesiology.

A prospective observational study of 277 surgical operations and 3,671 medication administrations found 193 cases (5.3%) involved a medication error or adverse drug event, nearly four-fifths (79.3%) of which were preventable and 68.9% of which were serious (Anesthesiology. 2015 Oct. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000000904).

Among the 51 medication errors that led to adverse reactions, nearly half were the result of inappropriate medication doses and 31.4% were due to omitted medications or failure to act, but the most common overall error type was a labeling error.

The medications most commonly associated with errors were propofol, phenylephrine, and fentanyl, and operations greater than 6 hours in duration or with 13 or more medication administrations were associated with a significantly greater risk of errors.

“Examples of technology-based interventions [to minimize perioperative MEs and/or ADEs] include bar code–assisted syringe labeling systems, point-of-care bar code–assisted anesthesia documentation systems, specific drug decision support, and alerts,” wrote the study’s lead author Dr. Karen C. Nanji of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and her coauthors.

The study was supported by the Doctors Company Foundation and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. One coauthor – Dr. David Bates – declared financial interests in medical decision support software, as well as funding and positions with a variety of medical technology companies.

Medication errors or adverse drug events after surgery occur in as many as one in twenty perioperative medication administrations, according to data published online in the journal Anesthesiology.

A prospective observational study of 277 surgical operations and 3,671 medication administrations found 193 cases (5.3%) involved a medication error or adverse drug event, nearly four-fifths (79.3%) of which were preventable and 68.9% of which were serious (Anesthesiology. 2015 Oct. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000000904).

Among the 51 medication errors that led to adverse reactions, nearly half were the result of inappropriate medication doses and 31.4% were due to omitted medications or failure to act, but the most common overall error type was a labeling error.

The medications most commonly associated with errors were propofol, phenylephrine, and fentanyl, and operations greater than 6 hours in duration or with 13 or more medication administrations were associated with a significantly greater risk of errors.

“Examples of technology-based interventions [to minimize perioperative MEs and/or ADEs] include bar code–assisted syringe labeling systems, point-of-care bar code–assisted anesthesia documentation systems, specific drug decision support, and alerts,” wrote the study’s lead author Dr. Karen C. Nanji of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and her coauthors.

The study was supported by the Doctors Company Foundation and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. One coauthor – Dr. David Bates – declared financial interests in medical decision support software, as well as funding and positions with a variety of medical technology companies.

Medication errors or adverse drug events after surgery occur in as many as one in twenty perioperative medication administrations, according to data published online in the journal Anesthesiology.

A prospective observational study of 277 surgical operations and 3,671 medication administrations found 193 cases (5.3%) involved a medication error or adverse drug event, nearly four-fifths (79.3%) of which were preventable and 68.9% of which were serious (Anesthesiology. 2015 Oct. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000000904).

Among the 51 medication errors that led to adverse reactions, nearly half were the result of inappropriate medication doses and 31.4% were due to omitted medications or failure to act, but the most common overall error type was a labeling error.

The medications most commonly associated with errors were propofol, phenylephrine, and fentanyl, and operations greater than 6 hours in duration or with 13 or more medication administrations were associated with a significantly greater risk of errors.

“Examples of technology-based interventions [to minimize perioperative MEs and/or ADEs] include bar code–assisted syringe labeling systems, point-of-care bar code–assisted anesthesia documentation systems, specific drug decision support, and alerts,” wrote the study’s lead author Dr. Karen C. Nanji of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and her coauthors.

The study was supported by the Doctors Company Foundation and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health. One coauthor – Dr. David Bates – declared financial interests in medical decision support software, as well as funding and positions with a variety of medical technology companies.

Non-physician cardiothoracic surgical team professionals are invited to submit abstracts for the AATS Perioperative/Team-based Care Poster Competition at the AATS Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, May 14-16, 2016.

The posters should reflect the participant’s research findings and/or new and innovative ideas for successful approaches in management of the cardiothoracic patient.

Eligibility
The competition is open to surgical team professionals — nurse practitioners, physician assistants, perfusionists and RNs.

Abstract Review
Abstracts will be reviewed and selected by the AATS Perioperative/Team-Based Care Review Committee. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-February 2016. Abstracts/posters may contain material that has been previously presented.

The Competition
All successful applicants will present their Competition poster during the AATS Welcome Reception on Sunday, May 15th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

The winning presenter will receive a $1,000 stipend underwriting his/her travel to and accommodations at the Annual Meeting. The award winner will be announced during the Tuesday, May 17th Plenary Session and be published in Thoracic Surgery News and The Daily News.

More information/apply 

Questions

Deadline: January 22, 2016

Non-physician cardiothoracic surgical team professionals are invited to submit abstracts for the AATS Perioperative/Team-based Care Poster Competition at the AATS Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, May 14-16, 2016.

The posters should reflect the participant’s research findings and/or new and innovative ideas for successful approaches in management of the cardiothoracic patient.

Eligibility
The competition is open to surgical team professionals — nurse practitioners, physician assistants, perfusionists and RNs.

Abstract Review
Abstracts will be reviewed and selected by the AATS Perioperative/Team-Based Care Review Committee. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-February 2016. Abstracts/posters may contain material that has been previously presented.

The Competition
All successful applicants will present their Competition poster during the AATS Welcome Reception on Sunday, May 15th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

The winning presenter will receive a $1,000 stipend underwriting his/her travel to and accommodations at the Annual Meeting. The award winner will be announced during the Tuesday, May 17th Plenary Session and be published in Thoracic Surgery News and The Daily News.

More information/apply 

Questions

Deadline: January 22, 2016

Non-physician cardiothoracic surgical team professionals are invited to submit abstracts for the AATS Perioperative/Team-based Care Poster Competition at the AATS Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, May 14-16, 2016.

The posters should reflect the participant’s research findings and/or new and innovative ideas for successful approaches in management of the cardiothoracic patient.

Eligibility
The competition is open to surgical team professionals — nurse practitioners, physician assistants, perfusionists and RNs.

Abstract Review
Abstracts will be reviewed and selected by the AATS Perioperative/Team-Based Care Review Committee. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-February 2016. Abstracts/posters may contain material that has been previously presented.

The Competition
All successful applicants will present their Competition poster during the AATS Welcome Reception on Sunday, May 15th from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

The winning presenter will receive a $1,000 stipend underwriting his/her travel to and accommodations at the Annual Meeting. The award winner will be announced during the Tuesday, May 17th Plenary Session and be published in Thoracic Surgery News and The Daily News.

More information/apply 

Questions

Deadline: January 22, 2016

Represent your institution with a scientific poster of your clinical/investigative research at the 2016 AATS Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, May 14-18, 2016.

The competition is open to senior cardiothoracic surgery residents and/or congenital heart surgery fellows worldwide.

Eligibility

North American residents must:

• Be in their last year of either an ACGME-accredited or RCPSC-accredited US or Canadian cardiothoracic surgery residency program or congenital heart surgery fellowship.
• Upload a support letter from their Program Director as part of their application.
• International residents must:
• Be in their last year of a cardiothoracic training program at an AATS Member’s institution.
• Upload a sponsor letter from an AATS member at their institution as part of their application.

Application

Residents/fellows must provide a brief abstract of the research on their posters. Research may include information previously presented and/or published.

Benefits

Participant/institutions:

• Will receive a $500 stipend to offset travel and hotel accommodation to the Annual Meeting.
• Will receive a complimentary Annual Meeting registration.
• Have access to a Skills Course (Saturday, May 14) and Postgraduate Course (Sunday, May 15).

The participant’s training program will be responsible for the cost of any additional resident/fellow travel and accommodations.

More information/apply

Questions

Deadline: January 22, 2016

Represent your institution with a scientific poster of your clinical/investigative research at the 2016 AATS Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, May 14-18, 2016.

The competition is open to senior cardiothoracic surgery residents and/or congenital heart surgery fellows worldwide.

Eligibility

North American residents must:

• Be in their last year of either an ACGME-accredited or RCPSC-accredited US or Canadian cardiothoracic surgery residency program or congenital heart surgery fellowship.
• Upload a support letter from their Program Director as part of their application.
• International residents must:
• Be in their last year of a cardiothoracic training program at an AATS Member’s institution.
• Upload a sponsor letter from an AATS member at their institution as part of their application.

Application

Residents/fellows must provide a brief abstract of the research on their posters. Research may include information previously presented and/or published.

Benefits

Participant/institutions:

• Will receive a $500 stipend to offset travel and hotel accommodation to the Annual Meeting.
• Will receive a complimentary Annual Meeting registration.
• Have access to a Skills Course (Saturday, May 14) and Postgraduate Course (Sunday, May 15).

The participant’s training program will be responsible for the cost of any additional resident/fellow travel and accommodations.

More information/apply

Questions

Deadline: January 22, 2016

Represent your institution with a scientific poster of your clinical/investigative research at the 2016 AATS Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, May 14-18, 2016.

The competition is open to senior cardiothoracic surgery residents and/or congenital heart surgery fellows worldwide.

Eligibility

North American residents must:

• Be in their last year of either an ACGME-accredited or RCPSC-accredited US or Canadian cardiothoracic surgery residency program or congenital heart surgery fellowship.
• Upload a support letter from their Program Director as part of their application.
• International residents must:
• Be in their last year of a cardiothoracic training program at an AATS Member’s institution.
• Upload a sponsor letter from an AATS member at their institution as part of their application.

Application

Residents/fellows must provide a brief abstract of the research on their posters. Research may include information previously presented and/or published.

Benefits

Participant/institutions:

• Will receive a $500 stipend to offset travel and hotel accommodation to the Annual Meeting.
• Will receive a complimentary Annual Meeting registration.
• Have access to a Skills Course (Saturday, May 14) and Postgraduate Course (Sunday, May 15).

The participant’s training program will be responsible for the cost of any additional resident/fellow travel and accommodations.

More information/apply

Questions

Deadline: January 22, 2016

Submissions are open for the AATS Summer Internship Scholarship giving up to 40 successful candidates the opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer working in the cardiothoracic surgery department of a North American AATS member.

Program Goal
To broaden medical students’ educational experiences and to provide insight into cardiothoracic surgery.

Eligibility

• Candidates must be a North American first- or second-year medical student (as of January 2, 2016).
• Host sponsor (an AATS member) must provide a letter of support/approval.
• Internships must take place at the institution of the host sponsor.

Application

The application must include no more than a one-page outline, including:

• What the candidate hopes to accomplish during his/her eight week scholarship, specifying the proposed intern’s exposure to CT surgery, including both laboratory and clinical experience.

Selection

• No more than two students from a single institution may receive a scholarship.
• If two students from the same institution are selected, each must have a different host sponsor.
• Award recipients must agree to submit a summary report and evaluation of their experience to AATS within 60 days of internship completion.

Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016

Information/Application

Submissions are open for the AATS Summer Internship Scholarship giving up to 40 successful candidates the opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer working in the cardiothoracic surgery department of a North American AATS member.

Program Goal
To broaden medical students’ educational experiences and to provide insight into cardiothoracic surgery.

Eligibility

• Candidates must be a North American first- or second-year medical student (as of January 2, 2016).
• Host sponsor (an AATS member) must provide a letter of support/approval.
• Internships must take place at the institution of the host sponsor.

Application

The application must include no more than a one-page outline, including:

• What the candidate hopes to accomplish during his/her eight week scholarship, specifying the proposed intern’s exposure to CT surgery, including both laboratory and clinical experience.

Selection

• No more than two students from a single institution may receive a scholarship.
• If two students from the same institution are selected, each must have a different host sponsor.
• Award recipients must agree to submit a summary report and evaluation of their experience to AATS within 60 days of internship completion.

Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016

Information/Application

Submissions are open for the AATS Summer Internship Scholarship giving up to 40 successful candidates the opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer working in the cardiothoracic surgery department of a North American AATS member.

Program Goal
To broaden medical students’ educational experiences and to provide insight into cardiothoracic surgery.

Eligibility

• Candidates must be a North American first- or second-year medical student (as of January 2, 2016).
• Host sponsor (an AATS member) must provide a letter of support/approval.
• Internships must take place at the institution of the host sponsor.

Application

The application must include no more than a one-page outline, including:

• What the candidate hopes to accomplish during his/her eight week scholarship, specifying the proposed intern’s exposure to CT surgery, including both laboratory and clinical experience.

Selection

• No more than two students from a single institution may receive a scholarship.
• If two students from the same institution are selected, each must have a different host sponsor.
• Award recipients must agree to submit a summary report and evaluation of their experience to AATS within 60 days of internship completion.

Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016

Information/Application

Submissions are open for the AATS Member for a Day program giving up to 30 successful candidates the opportunity to accompany an AATS Member Mentor for portions of the 2016 AATS Annual Meeting.

May 14-18, 2016
Baltimore, MD

Eligibility

Applicants must be North American:

• Medical students
• General surgery residents
• I-6 cardiothoracic residents (within their first three years)

Program Goals

• Offer insight into cardiothoracic surgery.
• Provide an opportunity to network and build relationships within the cardiothoracic surgical community.

Benefits

• Complimentary hotel accommodation for a minimum of three and maximum of four nights at an AATS Annual Meeting hotel.
• A $500 stipend to help offset travel costs.
• An additional $250 stipend to offset the cost of meals.

Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016

Information/Application 

Submissions are open for the AATS Member for a Day program giving up to 30 successful candidates the opportunity to accompany an AATS Member Mentor for portions of the 2016 AATS Annual Meeting.

May 14-18, 2016
Baltimore, MD

Eligibility

Applicants must be North American:

• Medical students
• General surgery residents
• I-6 cardiothoracic residents (within their first three years)

Program Goals

• Offer insight into cardiothoracic surgery.
• Provide an opportunity to network and build relationships within the cardiothoracic surgical community.

Benefits

• Complimentary hotel accommodation for a minimum of three and maximum of four nights at an AATS Annual Meeting hotel.
• A $500 stipend to help offset travel costs.
• An additional $250 stipend to offset the cost of meals.

Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016

Information/Application 

Submissions are open for the AATS Member for a Day program giving up to 30 successful candidates the opportunity to accompany an AATS Member Mentor for portions of the 2016 AATS Annual Meeting.

May 14-18, 2016
Baltimore, MD

Eligibility

Applicants must be North American:

• Medical students
• General surgery residents
• I-6 cardiothoracic residents (within their first three years)

Program Goals

• Offer insight into cardiothoracic surgery.
• Provide an opportunity to network and build relationships within the cardiothoracic surgical community.

Benefits

• Complimentary hotel accommodation for a minimum of three and maximum of four nights at an AATS Annual Meeting hotel.
• A $500 stipend to help offset travel costs.
• An additional $250 stipend to offset the cost of meals.

Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2016

Information/Application 

Four AATS Graham Foundation programs are now open for submissions:

“Honoring Our Mentors” Fellowships

These fellowships acknowledge the leadership and dedication of surgeons in the field. There are two — one honoring Marc de Leval; the other, F. Griffith Pearson.

Marc de Leval Fellowship

This new “Honoring Our Mentors” fellowship is for North American trainees and early career congenital heart surgeons. It provides them with the opportunity to spend four to six weeks receiving an international surgical experience at a UK or European institution. Its first class will launch in the fall.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

F. Griffith Pearson Fellowship

The first “Honoring Our Mentors” fellowship is for surgeons who have finished their residences. The fellowship allows them to advance their clinical techniques at a North American host institute. Each fellow will receive $3,500 to defray living expenses during four to six weeks of training.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

North America Clinical Immersion in Advanced Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Sponsored by Medtronic

Young Chinese surgeons: Take advantage of this opportunity to spend up to three months at a North American institution. The program focuses on obtaining expertise in advanced minimally invasive thoracic surgery, comprehensive care screening and diagnosis.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

Summer Intern Scholarship
The scholarship — for first- and second- year medical students — is an eight-week summer internships in the CT surgery department of an AATS member. To date, 286 North American students from 86 medical schools have received almost one million dollars in scholarships. Interns receive a $2,500 grant for living expenses.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

For More Information/Applications 

Four AATS Graham Foundation programs are now open for submissions:

“Honoring Our Mentors” Fellowships

These fellowships acknowledge the leadership and dedication of surgeons in the field. There are two — one honoring Marc de Leval; the other, F. Griffith Pearson.

Marc de Leval Fellowship

This new “Honoring Our Mentors” fellowship is for North American trainees and early career congenital heart surgeons. It provides them with the opportunity to spend four to six weeks receiving an international surgical experience at a UK or European institution. Its first class will launch in the fall.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

F. Griffith Pearson Fellowship

The first “Honoring Our Mentors” fellowship is for surgeons who have finished their residences. The fellowship allows them to advance their clinical techniques at a North American host institute. Each fellow will receive $3,500 to defray living expenses during four to six weeks of training.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

North America Clinical Immersion in Advanced Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Sponsored by Medtronic

Young Chinese surgeons: Take advantage of this opportunity to spend up to three months at a North American institution. The program focuses on obtaining expertise in advanced minimally invasive thoracic surgery, comprehensive care screening and diagnosis.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

Summer Intern Scholarship
The scholarship — for first- and second- year medical students — is an eight-week summer internships in the CT surgery department of an AATS member. To date, 286 North American students from 86 medical schools have received almost one million dollars in scholarships. Interns receive a $2,500 grant for living expenses.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

For More Information/Applications 

Four AATS Graham Foundation programs are now open for submissions:

“Honoring Our Mentors” Fellowships

These fellowships acknowledge the leadership and dedication of surgeons in the field. There are two — one honoring Marc de Leval; the other, F. Griffith Pearson.

Marc de Leval Fellowship

This new “Honoring Our Mentors” fellowship is for North American trainees and early career congenital heart surgeons. It provides them with the opportunity to spend four to six weeks receiving an international surgical experience at a UK or European institution. Its first class will launch in the fall.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

F. Griffith Pearson Fellowship

The first “Honoring Our Mentors” fellowship is for surgeons who have finished their residences. The fellowship allows them to advance their clinical techniques at a North American host institute. Each fellow will receive $3,500 to defray living expenses during four to six weeks of training.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

North America Clinical Immersion in Advanced Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Sponsored by Medtronic

Young Chinese surgeons: Take advantage of this opportunity to spend up to three months at a North American institution. The program focuses on obtaining expertise in advanced minimally invasive thoracic surgery, comprehensive care screening and diagnosis.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

Summer Intern Scholarship
The scholarship — for first- and second- year medical students — is an eight-week summer internships in the CT surgery department of an AATS member. To date, 286 North American students from 86 medical schools have received almost one million dollars in scholarships. Interns receive a $2,500 grant for living expenses.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

For More Information/Applications 

Abstract and video submissions are now open for AATS Aortic Symposium 2016.

May 12-13, 2016
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
New York, NY, USA

Course Directors
Joseph S. Coselli
Steven L. Lansman

Co-Directors
Joseph E. Bavaria
Nicholas T. Kouchoukos
G. Chad Hughes
David Spielvogel
Thoralf M. Sundt, III
Lars G. Svensson

Submission of Abstracts & Videos

Specific instructions for abstract and video submission 

Investigators are invited to submit original work to include BOTH of the following

• Abstract (maximum of 200 words), accompanied by
• PowerPoint presentation of the material (maximum of 12 slides)

OR

• Abstract (maximum of 200 words), accompanied by
• Video (maximum of five minutes, for the Presentation On Demand (POD) system ONLY and must be narrated in English)

Submission Categories

• Aortic Rootchever
• Descending/Thoracoabdominal Aorta
• Endoluminal Prostheses
• Natural History/ Follow-up
• Spinal Cord Protection
• Trauma
• Other

Submit Abstract Online

Deadline: Monday, December 14, 2015, 11:59 pm (EST)

Abstract and video submissions are now open for AATS Aortic Symposium 2016.

May 12-13, 2016
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
New York, NY, USA

Course Directors
Joseph S. Coselli
Steven L. Lansman

Co-Directors
Joseph E. Bavaria
Nicholas T. Kouchoukos
G. Chad Hughes
David Spielvogel
Thoralf M. Sundt, III
Lars G. Svensson

Submission of Abstracts & Videos

Specific instructions for abstract and video submission 

Investigators are invited to submit original work to include BOTH of the following

• Abstract (maximum of 200 words), accompanied by
• PowerPoint presentation of the material (maximum of 12 slides)

OR

• Abstract (maximum of 200 words), accompanied by
• Video (maximum of five minutes, for the Presentation On Demand (POD) system ONLY and must be narrated in English)

Submission Categories

• Aortic Rootchever
• Descending/Thoracoabdominal Aorta
• Endoluminal Prostheses
• Natural History/ Follow-up
• Spinal Cord Protection
• Trauma
• Other

Submit Abstract Online

Deadline: Monday, December 14, 2015, 11:59 pm (EST)

Abstract and video submissions are now open for AATS Aortic Symposium 2016.

May 12-13, 2016
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
New York, NY, USA

Course Directors
Joseph S. Coselli
Steven L. Lansman

Co-Directors
Joseph E. Bavaria
Nicholas T. Kouchoukos
G. Chad Hughes
David Spielvogel
Thoralf M. Sundt, III
Lars G. Svensson

Submission of Abstracts & Videos

Specific instructions for abstract and video submission 

Investigators are invited to submit original work to include BOTH of the following

• Abstract (maximum of 200 words), accompanied by
• PowerPoint presentation of the material (maximum of 12 slides)

OR

• Abstract (maximum of 200 words), accompanied by
• Video (maximum of five minutes, for the Presentation On Demand (POD) system ONLY and must be narrated in English)

Submission Categories

• Aortic Rootchever
• Descending/Thoracoabdominal Aorta
• Endoluminal Prostheses
• Natural History/ Follow-up
• Spinal Cord Protection
• Trauma
• Other

Submit Abstract Online

Deadline: Monday, December 14, 2015, 11:59 pm (EST)

The AATS Leadership Academy provides up to 20 participants with administrative, interpersonal, mentoring and negotiating skills necessary for a successful career as an academic cardiothoracic surgeon. It also offers them networking opportunities with well-known thoracic surgery leaders with the possibility of them becoming future personal mentors.

Friday, May 13, 2016
Baltimore, MD

Eligibility
Applicants must have concluded their residencies and held an academic appointment for no more than two years or be finishing their residency in 2016 and starting an academic appointment thereafter.

Applicants should also be active North American surgeons and be able to show evidence of their academic and leadership accomplishments.

Benefits
Each participant will receive a complementary registration to the AATS Annual Meeting, two night’s hotel accommodations, all meals on during the Academy, and a complimentary ticket to either the Saturday Skills Courses or Sunday Postgraduate Courses.

Deadline: November 30, 2015

Notification: Participants selected by the Leadership Academy Committee will be notified no later than February 5, 2016.

More information/application

The AATS Leadership Academy provides up to 20 participants with administrative, interpersonal, mentoring and negotiating skills necessary for a successful career as an academic cardiothoracic surgeon. It also offers them networking opportunities with well-known thoracic surgery leaders with the possibility of them becoming future personal mentors.

Friday, May 13, 2016
Baltimore, MD

Eligibility
Applicants must have concluded their residencies and held an academic appointment for no more than two years or be finishing their residency in 2016 and starting an academic appointment thereafter.

Applicants should also be active North American surgeons and be able to show evidence of their academic and leadership accomplishments.

Benefits
Each participant will receive a complementary registration to the AATS Annual Meeting, two night’s hotel accommodations, all meals on during the Academy, and a complimentary ticket to either the Saturday Skills Courses or Sunday Postgraduate Courses.

Deadline: November 30, 2015

Notification: Participants selected by the Leadership Academy Committee will be notified no later than February 5, 2016.

More information/application

The AATS Leadership Academy provides up to 20 participants with administrative, interpersonal, mentoring and negotiating skills necessary for a successful career as an academic cardiothoracic surgeon. It also offers them networking opportunities with well-known thoracic surgery leaders with the possibility of them becoming future personal mentors.

Friday, May 13, 2016
Baltimore, MD

Eligibility
Applicants must have concluded their residencies and held an academic appointment for no more than two years or be finishing their residency in 2016 and starting an academic appointment thereafter.

Applicants should also be active North American surgeons and be able to show evidence of their academic and leadership accomplishments.

Benefits
Each participant will receive a complementary registration to the AATS Annual Meeting, two night’s hotel accommodations, all meals on during the Academy, and a complimentary ticket to either the Saturday Skills Courses or Sunday Postgraduate Courses.

Deadline: November 30, 2015

Notification: Participants selected by the Leadership Academy Committee will be notified no later than February 5, 2016.

More information/application

BOSTON – When performing pneumonectomy on patients with benign disease, it is important to be aware of specific preexisting conditions that could complicate surgery before bringing patients into the operating room.

“Sometimes the usual, standard operative procedure is not appropriate, given the circumstances of a particular patient, [and] typically, these pneumonectomies for benign disease are very challenging operations because the inflamed lung is usually quite densely adherent to the inside of the chest cavity,” explained Dr. G. Alex Patterson of Washington University in St. Louis.

In an interview at the Focus on Thoracic Surgery: Technical Challenges and Complications meeting sponsored by the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons, Dr. Patterson talked about the challenges associated with pneumonectomies for benign disease and how surgeons can safely navigate them.

Dr. Patterson had no relevant disclosures.

[email protected]

BOSTON – When performing pneumonectomy on patients with benign disease, it is important to be aware of specific preexisting conditions that could complicate surgery before bringing patients into the operating room.

“Sometimes the usual, standard operative procedure is not appropriate, given the circumstances of a particular patient, [and] typically, these pneumonectomies for benign disease are very challenging operations because the inflamed lung is usually quite densely adherent to the inside of the chest cavity,” explained Dr. G. Alex Patterson of Washington University in St. Louis.

In an interview at the Focus on Thoracic Surgery: Technical Challenges and Complications meeting sponsored by the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons, Dr. Patterson talked about the challenges associated with pneumonectomies for benign disease and how surgeons can safely navigate them.

Dr. Patterson had no relevant disclosures.

[email protected]

BOSTON – When performing pneumonectomy on patients with benign disease, it is important to be aware of specific preexisting conditions that could complicate surgery before bringing patients into the operating room.

“Sometimes the usual, standard operative procedure is not appropriate, given the circumstances of a particular patient, [and] typically, these pneumonectomies for benign disease are very challenging operations because the inflamed lung is usually quite densely adherent to the inside of the chest cavity,” explained Dr. G. Alex Patterson of Washington University in St. Louis.

In an interview at the Focus on Thoracic Surgery: Technical Challenges and Complications meeting sponsored by the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons, Dr. Patterson talked about the challenges associated with pneumonectomies for benign disease and how surgeons can safely navigate them.

Dr. Patterson had no relevant disclosures.

[email protected]

BOSTON – When it comes to intraoperative complications during thoracoscopic lobectomy, the mantra for success is to always have a preoperative plan, but be flexible enough to improvise should anything out of the norm arise.

“Many surgeons, when they ask [me] about this specific topic, ask what specific tricks [I] have, but I don’t like to use the word ‘trick’ [because] it’s not something we can do that other people can’t,” explained Dr. Thomas A. D’Amico, chief of general thoracic surgery at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

“It’s really just about strategy – how you start an operation, what the conduct of it should be, and when you see things that are less common or more difficult cases, how you think about those and manage those.”

In an interview at the Focus on Thoracic Surgery: Technical Challenges and Complications meeting held by the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons, Dr. D’Amico talked about why surgeons around the world are apprehensive about thoracoscopic lobectomy and why it’s important to begin training residents on how to properly perform the procedure as soon as possible, as it helps mitigate uncertainty while giving them valuable experience to solve any issues that may come up during an operation.

Dr. D’Amico disclosed that he is a consultant for Scanlan, but that it is not relevant to this discussion.

[email protected]

BOSTON – When it comes to intraoperative complications during thoracoscopic lobectomy, the mantra for success is to always have a preoperative plan, but be flexible enough to improvise should anything out of the norm arise.

“Many surgeons, when they ask [me] about this specific topic, ask what specific tricks [I] have, but I don’t like to use the word ‘trick’ [because] it’s not something we can do that other people can’t,” explained Dr. Thomas A. D’Amico, chief of general thoracic surgery at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

“It’s really just about strategy – how you start an operation, what the conduct of it should be, and when you see things that are less common or more difficult cases, how you think about those and manage those.”

In an interview at the Focus on Thoracic Surgery: Technical Challenges and Complications meeting held by the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons, Dr. D’Amico talked about why surgeons around the world are apprehensive about thoracoscopic lobectomy and why it’s important to begin training residents on how to properly perform the procedure as soon as possible, as it helps mitigate uncertainty while giving them valuable experience to solve any issues that may come up during an operation.

Dr. D’Amico disclosed that he is a consultant for Scanlan, but that it is not relevant to this discussion.

[email protected]

BOSTON – When it comes to intraoperative complications during thoracoscopic lobectomy, the mantra for success is to always have a preoperative plan, but be flexible enough to improvise should anything out of the norm arise.

“Many surgeons, when they ask [me] about this specific topic, ask what specific tricks [I] have, but I don’t like to use the word ‘trick’ [because] it’s not something we can do that other people can’t,” explained Dr. Thomas A. D’Amico, chief of general thoracic surgery at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

“It’s really just about strategy – how you start an operation, what the conduct of it should be, and when you see things that are less common or more difficult cases, how you think about those and manage those.”

In an interview at the Focus on Thoracic Surgery: Technical Challenges and Complications meeting held by the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons, Dr. D’Amico talked about why surgeons around the world are apprehensive about thoracoscopic lobectomy and why it’s important to begin training residents on how to properly perform the procedure as soon as possible, as it helps mitigate uncertainty while giving them valuable experience to solve any issues that may come up during an operation.

Dr. D’Amico disclosed that he is a consultant for Scanlan, but that it is not relevant to this discussion.

[email protected]