The certifying examination of the american board of surgery: the effect of improving communication and professional competency: twenty-year results.

Purpose: In 1985, a small research group identified variables affecting applicant success on the oral Certifying Examination (CE) of the American Board of Surgery (ABS). This led to the design of an oral examination course first taught in 1991. The success of and need for this program led to its continuation.

Transaxillary thoracoscopically assisted sympathectomy for nonhealing ulcers in scleroderma: a case report of successful treatment.

We describe the successful treatment of a patient with chronic nonhealing ulcers caused by scleroderma refractory to medical therapy. This patient underwent a successful, transaxillary, thoracoscopically assisted, limited sympathectomy that resulted in healing of her ulcers and resolution of pain in the affected hand.

Initial experience using an endoscopic simulator to train surgical residents in flexible endoscopy in a community medical center residency program.

Introduction: The importance of training surgical residents in GI endoscopy has been recognized for years. Despite advice from SAGES and the RRC, few programs have managed to incorporate effective flexible endoscopy training into their curriculum, making it difficult for their graduates to be credentialed in GI endoscopy. Prior to October 2001, our residents obtained their entire clinical experience in the endoscopy unit with staff surgical endoscopists.

Kapalabhati pranayama: breath of fire or cause of pneumothorax? A case report.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is the most common cause of pneumothorax. We report a case of a 29-year-old healthy woman who presented to the emergency department with a spontaneous pneumothorax caused by a yoga breathing technique called Kapalabhati pranayama, or breath of fire. Yoga breathing exercises are commonly practiced, and a limited number of studies have shown various physiologic benefits of yoga breathing.

The effect of improving communication competency on the certifying examination of the American Board of Surgery.

Background: Since 1991 the authors have offered a course that identifies content deficits, but only provides instruction directed at improving verbal and nonverbal behaviors. We report the outcome of this 10-year effort as success on the certifying examination of the American Board of Surgery between 1991 and 2001.

Methods: Sixteen 5-day courses were scheduled over 10 years.