Surgical Readings

Robotic Adrenalectomy Has Advantages Over Laparoscopic Procedure

In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Eren Berber, MD, MBA, FACS, a professor of surgery and director of robotic endocrine surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, about a recent article in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, Laparoscopic Versus Robotic Adrenalectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Dr. Berber and colleagues compared laparoscopic and robotic adrenalectomy for perioperative outcomes, including cost, as well as ergonomics and conversion from the original surgical plan. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

• Transcript

Initial Antibiotic Intervention May Have Long-Term Benefits for Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis

A multicenter randomized clinical trial in Finland has found that, among patients initially treated with antibiotics for uncomplicated acute appendicitis, the rate of recurrence and appendectomy at 10-year follow-up supports the use of antibiotics. In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Paulina Salminen, MD, PhD, FACS(Hon), from the University of Turku in Finland, who is lead author of the study, Antibiotic Therapy for Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis Ten-Year Follow-Up of the APPAC Randomized Clinical Trial, in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

• Transcript

Understanding the Importance of Body Composition Changes After Obesity Treatment

With a growing reliance on GLP-1 treatments for obesity, researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, compared body composition changes between patients who used GLP-1s versus patients who underwent bariatric surgery for obesity treatment. In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Jason M. Samuels, MD, FACS, one of the authors of Body Composition Changes After Bariatric Surgery or Treatment With GLP-1 Receptor Agonists about the findings, which showed that while both treatments reduced fat mass, surgery helped preserve fat-free mass such as muscle and organ tissues. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

• Transcript

New ACS Report Highlights Key Trends in Cancer Treatment

In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, Medical Director of ACS Cancer Programs, about a new report from the ACS National Cancer Database (NCDB) that notes key trends in cancer treatment, as well as in-depth reports on outcomes for prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, and melanoma. Dr. Weigel also describes the history of the NCDB and future plans that will lead to more rapid and robust insights on cancer occurrence and treatment. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

• Transcript

Stenting Increases Benefits of Medical Management in Carotid Stenosis Patients

In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Brajesh Lal, MBBS, FACS, professor of vascular surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and chief of vascular service at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Lal and colleagues recently published research on Medical Management and Revascularization for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis in The New England Journal of Medicine, finding that adding stenting to medical management for carotid stenosis helps reduce the risk of stroke or death within 4 years; however, Dr. Lal tells Dr. Greene it’s too soon to discount the benefits of carotid endarterectomy. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

Radioactive Seed vs. Wire: Rethinking Breast Cancer Localization

In this episode of Surgical Readings, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, connects with Lejla Hadzikadic-Gusic, MD, MS, FACS, for an engaging conversation about a study that is reshaping the way surgeons localize nonpalpable malignant breast disease. Dr. Hadzikadic-Gusic discusses her randomized trial, published in the Annals of Surgery (A Randomized, Single-Center, Superiority Trial of Radioactive Seed Location versus Wire Localization for Malignant Breast Disease), comparing two commonly used localization methods: traditional wire placement and radioactive seed technique. Listeners will hear how her team set out to answer an important question in breast surgery: Can we improve the patient experience without compromising clinical outcomes? While both techniques performed similarly in achieving clear surgical margins, the study uncovered compelling differences in what matters to patients and care teams. Tune in to learn how radioactive seed localization led to higher satisfaction, less anxiety, and greater convenience for patients—and offered workflow advantages for surgeons. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings Copyright © 2026 by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). All rights reserved. The contents of these materials may be cited in academic publications but otherwise may not be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form by any means without the express written permission of ACS. These materials may not be resold nor used to create revenue-generating content by any entity other than the ACS without the express written permission of the ACS. The contents of these materials are strictly prohibited from being uploaded, shared, or incorporated in any third-party applications, platforms, software, or websites without prior written authorization from the ACS. This restriction explicitly includes, but is not limited to, the integration of ACS content into tools leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, large language models, or generative AI technologies and infrastructures.

• Transcript

Novel Fluorophore Helps Reduce Surgical Risk in Patients Undergoing Prostatectomy

In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Samuel A. Gold, MD, from the urology service in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Cancer Center in New York, New York, about using intraoperative fluorescence to illuminate nerve structures during robotic-assisted prostatectomy. Dr. Gold’s phase-1 study, published in JAMA Surgery (Rizedisben in Minimally Invasive Surgery), found that the fluorophore was generally well tolerated and clinically effective, which could revolutionize prostatic surgery and lead to wider applicability. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

• Transcript

Surgeon Risk of Mortality Is Highest Among All Physician Types

In this episode, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with Vishal R. Patel, MD, MPH, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, about a recent article in JAMA Surgery on Mortality Among Surgeons in the United States. Dr. Patel and colleagues found that, among all physician types, risk of mortality is highest among surgeons. Dr. Greene probes for the common causes of death among surgeons and what mitigation strategies can be put in place to change this somewhat surprising statistics. Talk about the podcast on social media using the hashtag #SurgicalReadings

• Transcript

Management of Pediatric Surgical Patients

In the latest episode of Surgical Readings from SRGS, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, is joined by Associate Editors Carmelle Romain, MD, FACS, and Manish Raiji, MD, FACS, from the University of Chicago’s Department of Surgery. Together, they explore key topics in pediatric surgical care, including necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal obstruction, pediatric trauma resuscitation, and more. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Breast Diseases: Insights for the General Surgeon

In this episode of Surgical Readings, Dr. Rick Greene leads an insightful discussion with Drs. Carla Fisher and Kay Yoon-Flannery on the diagnosis and management of breast disease. The conversation explores a range of topics, including both benign and malignant breast conditions. A comprehensive review of breast cancer is presented, covering management of the primary lesion, evolving approaches to axillary staging and therapy, the use of genetic and genomic testing, and the value of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Surgical Oncology, Part 2

In the second episode of a two-part series on surgical oncology, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, is once again joined by Drs. John Stewart and Prakash Pendalai to discuss the important features of head and neck malignancies, benign and malignant gynecologic conditions, and principles of palliative care for patients with cancer. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Surgical Oncology, Part 1

In this first episode of a two-part series on surgical oncology, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, is joined by Drs. John Stewart and Prakash Pendalai to discuss the genetic and molecular features of cancer. They also discuss screening methods and other preventive interventions, with a focus on cutaneous oncology and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Wound Healing and Burn Care

This episode of Surgical Readings features an informative conversation led by Rick Greene, MD, FACS, with the associate editors for the Wound Healing and Burn Care issue. Laura Haines, MD, FACS, and Deepak Bharadia, MBBS, FACS, provide valuable perspectives on the management of non-healing wounds, prevention of hypertrophic scarring, and achieving early wound coverage in patients with burn injury. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Nutrition and Metabolic Disease

This episode focuses on important issues related to nutritional assessment and support in surgical patients. Host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks to Melissa Coleman, MD, and Joseph Rappold, MD, FACS, about nutritional assessment of critically ill patients, the role of nutrition in the management of a patient with esophageal cancer who is undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and more. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Surgical Site Infections: Antimicrobial Therapy, Source Control, and Prevention

In this episode host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks to Lillian Kao, MD, FACS, from The University of Texas, Houston McGovern School of Medicine, about prevention and treatment of surgical site infections. Topics covered include bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs, novel therapies on the horizon, and lessons learned from viruses such as COVID and monkeypox. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Trauma Part 2: Lessons from the ACS Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Program

In the second episode of a two-part series on trauma, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, resumes his conversation with M. Zain Hashmi, MD, FACS, and Sabrina Goddard, MD, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. They discuss lessons from the ACS Advanced Trauma Life Support® program such as managing the difficult airway, indicators of shock, a whole blood approach, and imaging of the trauma patient. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Trauma Part 1: Quality Assessment of Trauma Centers and Injury Prevention

In the first episode of a two-part series on trauma, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks with three trauma surgeons about a variety of topics, including a milestone that led to a significant decrease in motor vehicle mortality, quality assessment of trauma centers, trauma care for geriatric patients, and specific areas of injury prevention such as firearm injury prevention and violence prevention. His guests are Jeffrey D. Kerby, MD, PhD, FACS, director of the Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma; Sabrina Goddard, MD, assistant professor of surgery and assistant trauma medical director at UAB; and M. Zain Hashmi, MD, assistant professor of surgery at UAB. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Liver Surgery Part 3: Liver Malignancies and Liver Transplantation

In this final episode in our liver surgery series, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, continues to discuss liver malignances and transplantation with Zachary C. Dietch, MD, member of the abdominal transplant team at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, IL. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS

Liver Surgery Part 2: Cystic Diseases, Neoplasms, and Metastatic Lesions of the Liver

In this second in a series of three episodes focused on liver surgery, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, continues to discuss liver disease and injuries with Zachary C. Dietch, MD, member of the abdominal transplant team at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, IL. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals.

Liver Surgery Part 1: Liver Disease and Liver Injuries

In this first in a series of episodes focused on liver surgery, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, discusses liver disease and injuries with Zachary C. Dietch, MD, member of the abdominal transplant team at Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago, IL. Learn more about Selected Readings in General Surgery, an American College of Surgeons publication that highlights highly relevant and practice-changing information from the world’s most prominent medical journals. #SurgicalReadings #SRGS