GENERAL SURGERY NEWS The Independent Monthly Newspaper for the General Surgeon
GeneralSurgeryNews.com
February 2022 • Volume 49 • Number 2
Physical Therapy: An Integral Part of Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
MONEY MATTERS
How Do Surgeons Get Fairly Compensated for Their Work? Exploring Payment Models Outside the Typical Volume-Based Approach
By KATE O’ROURKE
W
hen many patients undergo abdominal wall reconstruction, usually they do not work with a physical therapist throughout their recovery period. According to Howard Levinson, MD, an associate professor in the Departments of Surgery, Pathology and Dermatology at Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, N.C., this probably should change. At the 2021 annual meeting of the American Hernia Society, Dr. Levinson delivered a lecture on how physical therapy should be an integral part of an abdominal wall reconstruction practice. “When a patient undergoes hand surgery or leg surgery for musculoskeletal disease, they
By MICHAEL VLESSIDES
A
lthough formulaic compensation models integrating quality and payment are quickly becoming the norm in healthcare systems across the United States, such models may fail to account for the breadth of contributions made by physicians, including surgeons. In a panel session during the 2021 virtual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, surgeons representing the academic and rural community settings explored the different models to ensure they and their colleagues are adequately compensated for their efforts. Continued on page 10
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The State of Telemedicine in Surgery
AI in Surgery: Promise Mixed With Uncertainty
Expert Panel Discusses Current and Future Trends
By MICHAEL VLESSIDES
OPINION
Decisions Forced on Us by COVID-19 By HENRY BUCHWALD, MD, PhD hD
By KATE O’ROURKE
A
t the 2021 virtual annual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, current and future trends in telemedicine in surgery and surgical education were discussed by three experts: Aaron Lesher, MD, an associate professor of surgery and pediatrics at Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston; Joe Sharma, MD, the vice chair of quality, patient safety and care innovation at Emory University, in Atlanta; and Christopher Schlachta, MD, a professor of surgery at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, in Western University, London, Ontario.
F
rom complex intraoperative decision support to the automation of robotic tasks, artificial intelligence (AI) may have the potential to forever change the face of modern surgical practice, but the road ahead is peppered with uncertainty. In a panel session during the 2021 virtual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, a trio of clinicians discussed the promise and pitfalls of AI, along with its potential future directions. In discussing the potential benefits of AI, Elsie G. Ross, MD, explained that every technology adopted in surgery has its own unique pros and cons. Nevertheless, the advancement of AI may help to address
Continued on page 14
IN THE NEWS
6 Preventing and Managing Parastomal Hernias T H E SURGEONS’ LO U N G E
12 Patient With Partial Gastric Band Erosion T H E SCIENTIFIC G REATS
22 Mary Edwards Walker, MD facebook.com/generalsurgerynews
@gensurgnews
Continued on page 16
T
he trademark of a surgeon n has been the ability to makee decisions and take responsibili-ty for them. This is a standard of the profession, often involvingg critical, life-and-death choices and outcomes for patients. In addition, a surgeon’s decisions affect coworkers, the institution and professional discipline. Certainly, these decisions are integral to the surgeon’s personal life, family, income and community. Continued on page 18
