Surgical Hot Topics

STS Webinar Series: Management of Type B Aortic Dissection: Takeaways from the STS/AATS Guideline

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, a panel comprising several coauthors of the STS/AATS Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Type B Aortic Dissection discuss the key takeaways from this comprehensive, up-to-date summary of the state of the evidence. Discussion topics include: optimal medical therapy as the recommended treatment for patients with uncomplicated TBAD, thoracic endovascular aortic repair for patients with complicated hyperacute, acute, or subacute TBADs and favorable anatomy, and conditions under which open surgical repair is the preferred treatment option, including for patients with connective tissue disorders. Participants include Edward P. Chen, MD, Thomas G. Gleason, MD, Dawn S. Hui, MD, Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD (moderator), and Himanshu J. Patel, MD.

Same Surgeon, Different Light S2: Dr. Sharon Ben-Or

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Sharon Ben-Or—the first female President of the Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society. This inspirational leader shares remarkable, thought-provoking details about her journey into medicine. She credits her uncle with opening her eyes to the possibility of medical school. Listeners will learn that while on a family trip, Dr. Ben-Or skipped the skiing and spent the day with her uncle who was studying for the MCAT. Why cardiothoracic surgery? A clerical error, she explains. When considering a surgical subspecialty, Dr. Ben-Or was interested in the pancreas and liver, so she “signed up” for surgical oncology. But someone mixed up the paperwork, and she ended up on the thoracic oncology rotation. “I loved it,” she said. Dr. Ben-Or also generously shares how her 2017 breast cancer diagnosis “completely changed” her approach to patients and helped her better understand and empathize with patients’ feelings of fear and anger. She is in the process of rebuilding her life—"a new life”—because “so many things have changed.” Don’t miss the stories, experiences, and valuable advice from this leading light in cardiothoracic surgery.

Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

STS Webinar Series: Dos and Don’ts of the Mobile ECMO Team

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, a multidisciplinary panel shares their expertise in establishing and maintaining an effective mobile ECMO unit. In addition to optimal staffing, logistical details, and contingency plans for transport, the panel discusses findings from research on ECMO-facilitated resuscitation and contraindications for deploying the mobile ECMO unit. Participants include Cory Alwardt, PhD, Anna L. Ciullo, MD (moderator), J.W. Awori Hayanga, MD, MPH (moderator), Hitoshi Hirose, MD, Jeffrey Javidfar, MD, and Demetris Yannopoulos, MD.  

Same Surgeon, Different Light S2: Dr. Jenna Romano

In this episode, Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Jenna Romano, from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan Health. Listeners will discover fascinating personal details about this surgeon leader, including that she considers herself a “lifer Midwesterner;” while in college, her plan was to become a veterinarian (thanks to Dr. Bob Bartlett, that plan changed); and she was the first in her family to “dip” her toe into the medical field. Throughout her unique, “rare as a unicorn” journey, Dr. Romano has overcome stigmas and changed paradigms, and she’s done this by confidently wearing her emotions on her sleeve. “I don’t hold back. If there’s something I believe could be different or better, I speak up—for better or for worse,” she shares. At the time of this episode recording, Dr. Romano had just been named Second Vice President for The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), putting her in line for the STS Presidency. She will be the first woman to hold this position. Still “trying to catch her breath” over the exhilaration surrounding the new role, Dr. Romano explains what went through her mind and the first thing she did after receiving the phone call inviting her to accept the position. And what about the future of cardiothoracic surgery? Dr. Romano says the specialty is “not going away,” but will need to be more flexible and dynamic in the years ahead. “Just think—when you see a more diverse picture going forward, how much more greatness we’re going to achieve.”

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

STS Webinar Series: Coronary Revascularization Guideline: Why STS and AATS Did Not Endorse

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, senior leaders from STS and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery discuss the concerns that informed the decision not to endorse the 2021 Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization published in December by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Concerns discussed include: the devaluation of both coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as a treatment option and the evidence supporting bypass surgery as a preferred approach in select high-risk patient populations, and the superior long-term benefits of CABG versus percutaneous coronary intervention in decreasing repeat reintervention. Panelists include: John H. Calhoon, MD, Leonard N. Girardi, MD, Shaf Keshavjee, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD, Joseph F. Sabik III, MD, and Lars G. Svensson, MD, PhD. 

Same Surgeon, Different Light S2: Dr. Raja Flores

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Raja Flores, from Mount Sinai in New York City (NYC). With generous detail, Dr. Flores describes his “jagged line” to cardiothoracic surgery, while crediting luck and his supportive mom for much of his success. He shares how he “grew up poor” in NYC with neighborhood friends who turned to drugs and often ended up in jail. For Dr. Flores, though, personal experiences during repeated trips to the emergency room as a kid sparked his interest in medicine. He opens up about his passion for improving lung cancer survival—an area that has “a lot of room for improvement.” Dr. Flores explains that 80% of people living in NYC public housing are living with serious health hazards and exposures, but there is no “political activity” to improve the conditions. This reality fueled Dr. Flores’s motivation to launch a run for NYC mayor in 2021. “I wanted to bring awareness and effect change on a greater scale,” he shares. While unsuccessful, his campaign as “a son of New York City and mayor for all people” was organized and run by four medical students. Hear, too, what Dr. Flores says about the cardiothoracic surgery specialty “exploding” in years to come.

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Patients can learn more about cardiothoracic diseases and their treatments at ctsurgerypatients.org.

STS Webinar Series: Bronchoscopy: Electromagnetic, Robots, & Ablation

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, an international panel of surgeons shares their experiences with electromagnetic and robotic approaches to bronchoscopy, as well as ablation of lung cancers. Topics include: a comparison of two robotic platforms currently available for bronchoscopy, electromagnetic navigation for nodule localization, and the use of bronchoscopic microwave ablation for patients ineligible for stereotactic body radiation therapy. Participants include Hiran C. Fernando, MD (moderator), Douglas J. Minnich, MD (moderator), Calvin S.H. Ng, MD, FRCS(CTh), Janani S. Reisenauer, MD, Benny Weksler, MD, MBA, and Kazuhiro Yasufuku, MD, PhD, FRCSC.

Beyond the Abstract: Demographic Landscape of Cardiothoracic Surgeons and Residents at United States Training Programs

Hosted by Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS, the “Beyond the Abstract” program explores the “whys” behind articles in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and discusses next steps with authors and thought leaders. In the latest episode, Ourania A. Preventza, MD, MBA, joins Dr. Varghese to discuss the powerful Annals article that examines demographic trends among cardiothoracic surgery trainees in all accredited US training programs over the past 13 years. This robust conversation explores the motivation behind the project, reflections on the ongoing efforts to effect change, and opportunities to improve the specialty in the years ahead. Dr. Varghese asks the important question: “Are we doing a good job, or are we still struggling with how to continue to recruit the best and the brightest to our field?” According to Dr. Preventza, there are “great initiatives” in CT surgery, but “we have to know how to dissect the issue and better understand where the problem is.” Hear what she says about the specialty’s “pipeline issue” and how the “enthusiasm” for CT surgery must start well before the medical school application process. Read the related Annals article online: Demographic Landscape of Cardiothoracic Surgeons and Residents at United States Training Programs.

Same Surgeon, Different Light S2: Dr. Gail Darling

In this episode—which does not disappoint—Dr. Tom Varghese interviews Dr. Gail Darling, head of surgery at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada. Dr. Darling reveals an “ordinary upbringing,” growing up in Canada with an accountant dad and a stay-at-home mom. Interestingly, her 12th grade English teacher was the person who recommended that Dr. Darling think about medicine as a career; before that, she was going to study English. She went on to become the first person in her family to attend university. The original plan was family medicine, but during the surgery rotation, Dr. Darling realized there was more opportunity to “make a difference and make things happen” in surgery. She liked “the pace and the people—birds of a feather.” This “giant” in cardiothoracic surgery shares her perspectives and thoughts about overcoming challenges associated with shattering glass ceilings, constant changes in cardiothoracic surgery, and the need to adopt a growth mindset in the quest for excellence. In reflecting on her career so far, Dr. Darling offers some wise words and sage advice for listeners: “Never give in; Don’t be limited by what other people tell you; Think about what drives you, what motivates you, what gets you up in the morning; Don’t let anything stand in your way.”

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Patients can learn more about cardiothoracic diseases and their treatments at ctsurgerypatients.org.

Same Surgeon, Different Light S2: Dr. Jacques Kpodonu

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Jacques Kpodonu, from Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Listeners will discover fascinating personal details, like why Dr. Kpodonu considers himself an “international gentleman.” He was born in Paris, France—his mom’s home city, but at 8 years old, moved to his dad’s country of Ghana. Throughout his childhood years, the family moved back and forth between the two countries several times. In Ghana, Dr. Kpodonu’s dad served as the country’s first cardiologist, and today, at 84 years old, he is still practicing medicine—"as active as ever.” After attending medical school at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kpodonu felt a “pull” to complete his training in the US. Why cardiothoracic surgery? His dad’s influence pushed him to “do something with the heart.” From an early age, he was reading EKGs for his dad—“making some money on the side.” A staunch advocate for global health equity, Dr. Kpodonu details his work with health care disparities in underserved communities. He also illustrates an exciting future for the specialty and advises young cardiothoracic surgeons to “keep an open mind.”

“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Patients can learn more about cardiothoracic diseases and their treatments at ctsurgerypatients.org.