In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Ziad Sifri, MD, FACS, from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and Matthew Linz, MD, from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. They discuss Drs Sifri and Linz’s recent article, “Postoperative Pain Management in the US vs Low- and Middle-Income Countries by US Surgeons,” in which they found that surgeons in the US prescribe significantly more opioids after inguinal hernia repair compared with when they operate on short-term surgical trips to low- and middle-income countries, despite continued efforts to reduce opioid overprescription in the US.   Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese, Linz, and Sifri have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Linz, Matthew S MD1; Parvin-Nejad, Fatemeh P MD2; Srinivasan, Nivetha MD3; Vegunta, Geetasravya MD1; Eng, Ashley K BS1; Kim, Eugene BA MBS; Alexander, Imani BS1; Elgammal, Fatima MD2; Benson, Ryan MD2; Benneh, Albert Y MD4; Gyakobo, Mawuli K MD5,6; Lopez, Lorena MD7; Jalloh, Samba MD8; Sifri, Ziad C MD FACS2. Postoperative Pain Management in the US vs Low-and-Middle-Income Countries by US Surgeons. Journal of the American College of Surgeons ():10.1097/XCS.0000000000001538, July 30, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001538   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Eilidh Gunn, MBChB MRCSEd, from the SurgicalSabermetrics Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh. They discuss Dr Gunn’s recent article, “What About the Coach? Mixed-Methods Study Assessing the Experience of Coaches in a Peer Surgical Coaching Program.” As peer-led surgical coaching becomes an increasingly popular professional development activity, this study explores the impact of participation on surgeons acting as coaches. Using a concurrent, mixed-methods design, results demonstrate that coaches found participation worthwhile and that it affected their own clinical practice. Learn more about the SCOPE program here.   Disclosure Information: Drs Gunn and Erdahl have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Jordan Rook, MD, from UCLA, and Lorraine Kelley-Quon, MD, FACS, from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine of USC. They discuss Drs Rook and Kelley-Quon’s recent article, “Expanding the Public Health Role of Pediatric Trauma Centers: Drug Screening for Adolescent Trauma Patients,” in which the authors found that biochemical drug screening for injured adolescents is decreasing at pediatric trauma centers, despite increasing national adolescent overdose deaths. Given high rates of substance use among injured adolescents, this is a missed opportunity to intervene on problematic substance use and prevent future adolescent overdose deaths.   Disclosure Information: Drs Rook, Kelley-Quon, and Erdahl have nothing to disclose.To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Timothy Pawlik, MD, FACS, from The Ohio State University. They discuss Dr Pawlik’s recent article, “Association of Discharge Against Medical Advice with Surgical Outcomes and Healthcare Cost,” in which the authors found that discharge against medical advice (DAMA) among surgical patients is associated with increased 30-day readmission, complication, fragmented care, and higher healthcare cost. DAMA patients were younger, socioeconomically vulnerable, and often had substance use or psychiatric disorders.     Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Pawlik have nothing to disclose.    Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.    #JACSOperativeWord 

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Stephanie M Jensen, MD, MPH, and A Britt Christmas, MD, MBA, FACS, from the Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC. They discuss the recent article by Drs Jensen and Christmas, “Association of State Helmet Laws with Helmet Use and Injury Outcomes in Motorcycle Crashes,” in which the authors analyzed a decade of motorcycle collision data from an American College of Surgeons-verified Level I Trauma Center positioned at the border of 2 states with differing motorcycle helmet laws. The study found that helmeted patients had reduced injury severity, and that state helmet laws significantly influencehelmet usage among motorcyclists. Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl, Jensen, and Christmas, speakers, have nothing to disclose.To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Brett Johnson, MD, and Clifford Ko, MD, FACS, from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). They discuss the recent article by Drs Johnson and Ko, “Evaluating Outcomes of Initial Site Visits Across American College of Surgeons Accreditation Programs,” in which the authors found that ACS accreditation identifies significant gaps in hospital quality, with only 61% of hospitals passing on their initial attempt. However, most ultimately succeed after remediation. These findings highlight that ACS accreditation both validates hospitals meeting rigorous standards and drives quality improvement in those that initially fall short. Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese, speaker, has no relevant financial conflicts to disclose. Drs Johnson and Ko, speakers, are employees of the American College of Surgeons. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, and Alexis Holland, MD, from the Carolinas Medical Center. They discuss the recent article by Drs Heniford and Holland, “Limited or Lasting: Is Preoperative Weight Loss as Part of Prehabilitation Maintained after Open Ventral Hernia Repair?” This study supports the implementation of preoperative optimization and weight loss before hernia surgery, which remains controversial. Long-term maintenance of preoperative weight loss before abdominal wall reconstruction is achievable and sustainable.   Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Holland have nothing to disclose. Dr Heniford is a surgical research grant recipient and receives speaking honoraria from WL Gore.   To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS, is joined by Haytham Kaafarani, MD, MPH, FACS, and Vahe Panossian, MD, from the Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. They discuss the recent article by Drs Kaafarani and Panossian, “Validation of Artificial Intelligence-Based POTTER Calculator in Emergency General Surgery Patients Undergoing Laparotomy: Prospective, Bi-Institutional Study.” This study found that POTTER accurately predicts mortality and postoperative complication, and the superior accuracy, user-friendliness, and interpretability of POTTER make it a useful bedside tool for preoperative counseling.    Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Panossian have nothing to disclose. Dr Kaafarani receives honoraria payments from UpToDate. The POTTER calculator is available online for free, and Dr Kaafarani has not been compensated for the development or ongoing use of the calculator.  To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Judy Boughey, MD, FACS, from the Mayo Clinic Rochester Department of Surgery. They discuss Dr Boughey’s recent article, “American College of Surgeons Cancer Programs Annual Report from 2021 Participant User File.” This inaugural annual report from the National Cancer Database describes the 2021 adult participant user files (PUF) as a whole, as well as the PUFs for breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer in more detail. It summarizes new observations and recent trends of cancer diagnoses, patient demographics, and treatment trends.   Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl has nothing to disclose. Dr Boughey receives funding paid to her institution from Eli Lilly and SymBioSis; sits on the Data Safety Monitoring Committee of CairnsSurgical; and has received honoraria from PER, PeerView, OncLive, EndoMag, and UpToDate.   To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Peter C Minneci, MD, FACS, MHSc, from the Department of Surgery, Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley. They discuss Dr Minneci’s recent article, “Cost-Effectiveness of Nonoperative Management vs Upfront Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Pediatric Uncomplicated Appendicitis Over 1 Year,” in which the authors found that cost-effectiveness of management of pediatric appendicitis is sensitive to changes in utilities achieved by nonoperative management. Further studies should investigate reasons for treatment failure and the importance of shared decision-making in choosing treatment.   Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Minneci have nothing to disclose. This research was funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI ID CER-1507-31325) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (grant UL1TR001070). CME for this episode will be available on January 31, 2025. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Fatemeh Shojaeian, MD, MPH, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. They discuss Dr Shojaeian’s recent article, “Refractory and Recurrent Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis Treatment: Adaptive, Randomized Clinical Trial,” in which the authors found that, for resistant or relapsing patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, combining methotrexate and corticosteroids offers a promising strategy. This integration of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs with corticosteroids not only reduces the necessity for high steroid doses but also effectively alleviates associated side effects.   Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Shojaeian have nothing to disclose.   To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS, is joined by Jessica Ching, MD, from the Baylor College of Medicine. They discuss Dr Ching’s recent article, “Protective Effects of Authenticity Against Depression, Suicide, and Burnout among Surgeons,” in which the authors found that authenticity may protect against burnout, depression, and suicide, pointing to a vital intervention opportunity. This research highlights the importance of cultivating a culture that prioritizes mental health to foster a resilient, fulfilled surgical community. Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Ching have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, MS, MBA, FACS, is joined by Anai N Kothari MD, FACS, MS, FSSO, from the Medical College of Wisconsin. They discuss Dr Kothari’s recent article, “Association of Daily Step Count and Postoperative Complication among All of Us Research Participants,” in which the authors used preoperative wearable device data from 475 patients to investigate the link between daily step counts and postoperative complications. Patients with fewer than 7,500 daily steps had a higher risk of complications, supporting the use of wearables for surgical risk assessment and preoperative fitness measurement. Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Kothari have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, MS, MBA, FACS, is joined by Lauren M Janczewski, MD, MS, from Northwestern University, and Yue-Yung Hu, MD, MPH, FACS, from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES). They discuss their recent article, “Contemporary Evaluation of Work-Life Integration and Well-being in US Surgical Residents: A National Mixed-Methods Study,” in which the authors found that parents and female residents were more likely to report work-life conflicts, which were associated with career dissatisfaction, burnout, thoughts of attrition, and suicidality. Qualitative data revealed work-life integration interventions: protecting health-maintenance time, supporting life outside of work, and allowing meaningful autonomy in scheduling. Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese, Janczewski, and Hu have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS is joined by Calista M Harbaugh, MD, MSc, from the University of Michigan. They discuss Dr Harbaugh’s recent study, “Association of National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer Accreditation with Outcomes after Rectal Cancer Surgery,” in which the authors found that hospitals accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer are associated with lower short- and long-term morbidity and mortality, but few programs achieve accreditation status.   Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Harbaugh have nothing to disclose.   To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS is joined by Todd Rosengart, MD, FACS, from the Baylor College of Medicine. They discuss Dr Rosengart’s recent article, “Sustaining Lifelong Competency of Surgeons: Multimodality Empowerment Personal and Institutional Strategy,” which focuses on maintaining and ensuring the competency of an aging surgeon workforce. The study provides evidence-based guiding principles as part of a comprehensive “whole of career” strategy that can be adopted at a personal, institutional, and national level.   Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Rosengart have nothing to disclose.   To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS is joined by Jamie Coleman, MD, FACS, from the University of Louisville. They discuss Dr Coleman’s recent article, “Home Is Not Always Where the Sleep Is: The Effect of Home Call on Sleep, Burnout, and Surgeon Well-Being”, which quantifies sleep loss and burnout associated with home call in acute care surgeons, emphasizing that there are both physical and emotional contributors to burnout.    Disclosure Information: Drs Varghese and Coleman have nothing to disclose.     To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.  Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.  #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Tom Varghese, MD, FACS is joined by Jeremy Cannon, MD, SM, FACS, from the University of Pennsylvania. They discuss Dr Cannon’s Excelsior Surgical Society Presidential Address, emphasizing the crucial contribution of expeditionary surgical leaders in World War II and how their legacy serves as an example for military and civilian surgeons seeking to lead in austere settings today.   Disclosure Information: Dr Varghese has nothing to disclose. Dr Cannon received royalties from UpToDate for authoring an article on an unrelated topic. Dr Cannon's institute was supported by funding from CSL Behring.   To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS is joined by Dai Chung, MD, FACS, from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. They discuss Dr Chung’s recent study, which demonstrates that poor health outcomes among pediatric solid tumor patients are associated with minority race and residence in rural or border regions, and that the 5-year rate mortality rises with increasing area deprivation score.   Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Chung have nothing to disclose.   To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2 years after the original air date.   Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimental investigations, and more.   #JACSOperativeWord

In this episode, Lillian Erdahl, MD, FACS is joined by Amy Hernandez, MD, FACS, from the Department of Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego. They discuss Dr Hernandez’s recent study, which uses literature review, personal interviews, and correspondence with Navy Medicine administrative leaders to describe the evolution of women providing surgical care at sea.   Disclosure Information: Drs Erdahl and Hernandez have nothing to disclose. To earn 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for this episode of the JACS Operative Word Podcast, click here to register for the course and complete the evaluation. Listeners can earn CME credit for this podcast for up to 2years after the original air date. Learn more about the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, a monthly peer-reviewed journal publishing original contributions on all aspects of surgery, including scientific articles, collective reviews, experimentalinvestigations, and more. #JACSOperativeWord