Clinical Congress 2023 introduced the Great Debates, an exciting session during which surgeons discussed two sides of notable surgical issues. Last year focused on the topics of biliary and hernia treatment, in one session, and the success of this new format has prompted an expanded return for Clinical Congress 2024.
At this year’s conference, October 19–22 in San Francisco, California, surgeons can look forward to two distinct Great Debate sessions that will allow additional time for discussion among the panelists, as well as audience interaction.
See more information on the Great Debates below, and register today for Clinical Congress 2024.
The Great Debate: Whole Blood Transfusion and Angioembolization in Pediatric and Adult Trauma: Life-Saving Adjuncts, or Not Worth the Trouble
This session will focus on two important tools used to achieve balanced transfusion and rapid resuscitation: whole blood and endovascular angioembolization.
Panelists will review the current evidence and controversies regarding whole blood resuscitation, focusing on application in pediatric patients, and will address alternative resuscitative approaches using component therapy, as well as the logistical and operational considerations related to a whole blood transfusion program.
Evolving capabilities in the use of endovascular embolization for trauma and other hemorrhagic emergencies are commonly utilized by a variety of surgical services. The value and potential pitfalls of embolization, however, may not be optimally incorporated into traditional surgical training paradigms.
The panelists discuss contrasting views on the role of embolization for solid organ hemorrhage, GI bleeding and other pathologies. Techniques, capabilities, outcomes, and challenges will be discussed.
The Great Debate: The Challenges of Rib Fracture Fixation and Who Should Manage Specialty Surgical Complications
General surgeons are often called to care for complications and emergencies that are also treated by bariatric and colorectal surgeons. Acute care surgery models are evolving, and questions exist regarding who should ultimately care for these pathologies that are becoming more specialized.
Similarly, there are considerable variations in the management of rib fractures in trauma patients. The specific indications and benefits of various interventions including surgical stabilization and regional analgesic modalities are not universally accepted in the treatment of this common injury. The balance of resource management, surgeon availability, and patient outcomes challenges the planning of care for these unique patient populations.
This session will utilize a panel of experts to debate these considerations in these patients.
