Surgical Readings

Breast Diseases: Insights for the General Surgeon May 30, 2025

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.

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Surgical Oncology, Part 2 Mar 07, 2025

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.

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Surgical Oncology, Part 1 Nov 29, 2024

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.

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Wound Healing and Burn Care Jul 26, 2024

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.

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Nutrition and Metabolic Disease May 24, 2024

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.

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Surgical Site Infections: Antimicrobial Therapy, Source Control, and Prevention Mar 01, 2024

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.

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Trauma Part 2: Lessons from the ACS Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Program Nov 24, 2023

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.

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Trauma Part 1: Quality Assessment of Trauma Centers and Injury Prevention Sep 01, 2023

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.

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Liver Surgery Part 3: Liver Malignancies and Liver Transplantation May 19, 2023

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.

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Liver Surgery Part 2: Cystic Diseases, Neoplasms, and Metastatic Lesions of the Liver Apr 21, 2023

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 Mar 03, 2023

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.

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Vascular Surgery Part 6: Varicose Veins, Post-Thrombotic Complications, and Venous Ulcers Feb 03, 2023

In this final episode in the Vascular Surgery series from Surgical Readings from SRGS, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, and vascular surgeon Girma Tefera, MD, FACS, review key data on the etiology, diagnosis, and management of varicose veins. Dr. Tefera outlines endoluminal ablation, foam injection, and traditional approaches of ligation and stripping. The discussion current guidance for compression treatment and strategies for successful wound care and management.

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.

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Vascular Surgery Part 5: Mesenteric and Renal Disease Jan 06, 2023

In this episode of our series focused on vascular surgery, host Dr. Rick Greene speaks with vascular surgeon Dr. Britt Tennessean about the clinical features and important management aspects of mesenteric and renal vascular disease.

Britt H. Tonnessen, MD, FACS, is Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy; Associate Program Director, Vascular Integrated Residency, Yale University School of Medicine.

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.
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Vascular Surgery Part 4: Vascular Injuries Dec 02, 2022

In this episode of our series focused on vascular surgery, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, and vascular surgeon David Feliciano, MD, FACS, discuss topics related to vascular trauma, including the role of the physical examination in evaluating vascular injuries, distinguishing between hard and soft injury signs, indications for immediate operating room inventions, preferred incision options for subclavian and axillary arterial injuries, and the use of temporary intravascular shunts.

David V. Feliciano, MD, FACS, MAMSE, is a clinical professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and an attending Surgeon at Shock Trauma Center/Department of Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.
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.
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Vascular Surgery Part 3: Venous Thromboembolism Nov 04, 2022

In a continuing series focused on vascular surgery, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks to vascular surgeon Marie L. Crandall MD, MPH, FACS, about venous thromboembolism.

Dr. Crandall is Professor and Associate Chair, Research; Chief, Division of Acute Care Surgery; Program Director, General Surgery Residency, Department of Surgery, University of Florida Jacksonville.

*Addendum from Dr. Crandall:

“The timing of VTE prophylaxis after neurosurgical intervention for TBI can be challenging. However, this JAMA Surg retrospective cohort study demonstrated that prophylaxis before 72hrs was associated with greater risk of reintervention and mortality and after 72 hours was associated with greater risk of VTE but not mortality. This suggests that perhaps 3 days would be safest balance for most patients after neurosurgical intervention for TBI.”

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.

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Vascular Surgery Part 2: Carotid Occlusive Disease and Peripheral Arterial Disease Oct 07, 2022

In a continuing series focused on vascular surgery, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, talks to vascular surgeon Britt Tonnessen, MD, FACS, about carotid occlusive disease and peripheral arterial disease.

Britt H. Tonnessen, MD, FACS, is Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy; and Associate Program Director, Vascular Integrated Residency, Yale University School of Medicine.

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.

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Vascular Surgery Part 1: Aneurysms Sep 02, 2022

In this first of a series of episodes focused on Vascular disease, host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, joins vascular surgeon Girma Tefera, MD, FACS, in a discussion of aortic aneurysm disease, reviewing current screening guidelines, disease etiology, and the impact of cigarette smoking on disease progression. The conversation also addresses aortic aneurysm disease’s epidemiology, aneurysm definitions and classifications, and current modalities of treatment, including open surgical and endovascular approaches and their outcomes.

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.

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Endocrine Surgery Aug 05, 2022

In this episode, SRGS Editor Lewis Flint, MD, FACS, talks with Rachel Kelz, MD, FACS, and Lauren Krumeich, MD, both from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, about the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease, including the use of telehealth and the effect of gastric bypass surgery on patients with thyroid issues. They also discuss innovative treatments for thyroid cancer and preoperative management of pheochromocytoma.

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.

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Colorectal Disease—Part 2 Jul 22, 2022

Host Rick Greene, MD, FACS, continues his conversation with Sandra Kavalukas, MD, about colorectal disease, including important concepts for treating anal fissures, Ogilvie syndrome, parastomal hernias, and malignancy of the colon, rectum, and anus. Dr. Kavalukas is a colorectal surgeon from the University of Louisville Medical Center.

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.

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Colorectal Disease—Part 1 Jul 07, 2022

In the inaugural episode of this series, Rick Greene, MD, FACS, interviews Sandra Kavalukas, MD, a colorectal surgeon from the University of Louisville Medical Center about the management of perirectal abscess and diverticular disease, the use of fiber supplements, and the importance of engaging patients in informed decision-making.

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.

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About Dr. Kavalukas

Dr. Sandra Kavalukas is our newest member of the team at University of Louisville Medical Center. Originally from Pittsburgh, she came to Louisville after completing her General Surgery Residency at Vanderbilt University and Colorectal Surgery Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Her clinical interests include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal and anal cancer, constipation/motility disorders, diverticulitis, and anorectal problems. She performs both laparoscopic and robotic surgery. With an academic appointment at the University of Louisville, she is involved in educating medical students as well as the clinical training of residents and fellows.
Academically, her background research is in wound healing and fibrotic/inflammatory pathways, which she intends on extending into the realm of inflammatory bowel disease as well as exploring interactions with the microbiome. She sits on numerous committees for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery and is a regular manuscript reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals in the colorectal field.

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