Advances in Surgery | Podcast

In this podcast, led by Dr. Luis Felipe Cabrera and Dr. Diego Lima, they dive into the nitty-gritty of surgical research, sharing practical tips that surgeons and residents everywhere can benefit from. Dr. Lima's wealth of experience adds depth to the conversation, especially when discussing how to find research opportunities and master the necessary statistical and methodological skills for academic success.

The podcast guides listeners through the journey from starting research to getting published. Dr. Lima stresses the importance of matching research findings with the right journal audience, ensuring that scholarly work gets the attention it deserves.

Ultimately, this podcast is a valuable resource for aspiring surgeons, offering down-to-earth insights from seasoned professionals. It encourages a well-rounded approach to surgical training, emphasizing empathy, ongoing learning, and a strong dedication to pushing the boundaries of surgical knowledge.

In the second episode of the Surgery, Pregnancy, and Parenthood podcast series, Dr. Romina Pena hosts Dr. Barbora Esat, a Czech surgeon specializing in abdominal wall surgery and mother. 

Dr. Esat shares her experiences with the challenges of surgical training and the difficulties faced by female surgeons returning to work after having children. She discusses the lack of standardized training programs, the stress of exams, and the absence of support for surgeon-mothers, highlighting the need for better institutional support to help women balance their careers and family responsibilities.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jacqueline Van Laarhoven, an accomplished surgeon and mom of three, talks about her journey becoming a mother during her surgical training. Dr. Romina Pena, an experienced surgeon without kids, shares her opinion and inquiries about the experience of being a surgeon and being a mother.

In the second and final episode of these podcast series, Dr. Pena wonder about the essential support Dr. Van Laarhoven received from her surgical team when returning to work after becoming a parent, emphasizing the role of colleagues in her successful reintegration. Meanwhile, Dr. Van Laarhoven discusses her journey as a mother and surgeon, underlining the support from her team and the emotional challenges she faced in the initial days of working, constantly thinking about her children at home.

In this podcast, Dr. Cabrera and Dr. Zundel discuss surgical mentorship and sponsorship, highlighting the importance of nurturing surgeons as skilled professionals and well-rounded individuals.

They stress that mentorship should be about time, not money, and extend beyond surgical skills to include personal and professional growth. The mentors underscore that sponsorship is not limited to academic or surgical success; it's about becoming better human beings. They offer practical insights on guiding mentees to excel in surgery and life. This podcast sheds light on how mentorship can shape future surgeons into not only skilled professionals but also emerging leaders.

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jacqueline Van Laarhoven, an experienced surgeon and mom of three, talks about her journey becoming a mother during her surgical training. Dr. Romina Pena, a relevant surgeon without kids, shares her opinion and inquiries about the experience of being a surgeon and being a mother.  

In the first episode of a two-part podcast series, Dr. Pena and Dr. Van Laarhoven opened up about their respective paths, exploring personal journeys of managing the demands of surgery and motherhood, shedding light on the balance between career aspirations and family life. Finally, they talk about the childcare expenses offering financial insights for aspiring surgeon parents.

Luis Felipe Cabrera Vargas - MD, MACC, FACS, MACCVA, MFELAC, General surgeon, Fellow in vascular and endovascular surgery of Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, President of the Future surgeons chapter of the Colombian Surgery Association, Assistant editor of the American Journal of Surgery and General Surgery Professor of Universidad El Bosque and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota - Colombia Senior researcher MinCiencias, Colombia

Dr. Rhea Liang - MBChB, BA(Ed,) MSurgEd, FRACS,  FACS, FFSTEd, FRCSEng(Hon), Clinical Sub Dean for GCHHS, Bond University; Consultant General and Breast surgeon, Robina Hospital, Australia

In this podcast, we delve into the experiences and challenges faced by young surgeons during their residency in Latin America. We explore the importance of non-technical skills, emphasizing the significance of effective patient communication and relationship-building with families and colleagues.

Our guests share their opinions on strategies and activities to maintain control and thrive throughout the demanding academic journey of residency. We discuss the value of finding mentors who offer guidance and structure, as well as the benefits of note-taking and leveraging technology to stay organized.

Delegation of tasks is examined, highlighting the importance of climbing the ladder of experience and fostering a sense of teamwork. We also explore the practicalities of developing presentations and meeting administrative requirements, drawing from real-life experiences.

Moreover, we address the delicate balance between work and personal life, recognizing the relevance of maintaining one's well-being and mental health.

Lastly, we shed light on the challenges posed by resource limitations, such as the lack of access to specialized equipment and imaging resources.

In this podcast, Dr. Luis Felipe Cabrera and Dr. Paula Ferrada discuss various aspects of surgical residency and what it takes to become a successful surgeon. They emphasize the importance of non-surgical technical aspects, such as leaving ego outside of the hospital to take decisions that benefit patients the most.

They also discuss some of the challenges faced during surgical residency, including burnout and long-hour shifts. They provide tips to achieve success during the fifth year of residency and address the importance of learning as “a sponge”, absorbing everything from attitude and technical skills to communication and clinical/non-clinical skills.

The discussion also covers the delegation of tasks, essential for time-managing and leadership. Dr. Cabrera and Dr. Ferrada noted that delegation is a signal of strength and it is crucial to select moments where it is necessary to designate tasks.

This podcast episode provides valuable insights into surgical residency and the qualities and skills required to become a successful surgeon. It highlights the importance of putting the patient first, developing genuine relationships, and managing time effectively.

The management of high thrombotic risk in surgical patients involves many factors. It is very important to use validated scores and individualize each case before prescribing prophylactic treatment and measures. Dr. Pena and Dr. Montané discuss thromboprophylaxis for patients in several scenarios.

In this podcast, Dr. Romina Pena asks Dr Steven Wexner various questions on  General Complications in Colorectal Surgery.

They discuss anastomotic leaks, a difficult problem. Dr. Wexner explains his 4 strategies for mitigating this complication. Also, with the ongoing development of technologies, the doctors talk about their expectations for the future, and how it will affect them on a daily basis, for example, in avoiding multiple crossing staple lines.

Another complication discussed is Surgical Site Infections (SSI). Protocols for prevention were discussed in a previous podcast with Dr Antonio de Lacy - therefore, in this one, Dr Wexner how there still are still SSIs, despite all all the knowledge and prevention in the field. They also talk about how bowel preparation might change due to the microbiome.

The final complication discussed bleeding. Dr Pena asks Dr Wexner sks about his thoughts on the future, specifically, how new technology such as Artificial Intelligence could prevent bleeding. Finally, she asks him about other methods for clean treatment  when facing this stressful complication.

When it comes to Surgical Site Infection (SSI) prevention, normothermia and normoglycemia are the goals. They are important factors in helping the patient recover from surgery successfully, avoiding complications. In this episode, Dr. Pena and Dr. Lacy discuss body temperature and glycemia levels as controllable factors for SSI prevention.

Hypothermia can trigger thermoregulatory vasoconstriction, which decreases tissue oxygen tension. The chemotaxis and phagocytosis of granulocytes are impaired, as well as the motility of macrophages and oxidative killing by neutrophils. Furthermore, it is important to know that Hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk of SSI.

Bearing in mind that warming devices are used in the operating room and during the surgical procedure with a moderate strength of recommendation.

The end of residency can be a difficult time, but mentorship, training and experience will lead the way to the next steps into the future. In this episode, Dr. Pena and Dr. González discuss how to navigate the end of the surgical residency program.

Burnout is a response to overwhelming job stressors, leading to exhaustion, dissatisfaction, depersonalization, and more serious issues (depression, suicidal ideation). In this first episode, Dr. Pena and Dr. Nogueira discuss burnout among surgeons and surgical trainees.

COVID-19: Surgeon Perspectives from Spain
Dr. Salvador Morales-Conde (Spain)
Dr. Tan Arulampalam (UK)