April 15, 2008

Laparoscopy Today, The Essential Multidisciplinary Information Source

Laparoscopytoday62cov_2
Laparoscopy Today
is a semi-annual magazine and journal of the Society of Laparoendosc
opic Surgeons. Circulation is 60,000 which includes all general surgeons, gynecologists, urologists, and residency programs. Laparoscopy Today features articles from leading experts on the most recent developments in minimally invasive therapies, the SLS President's Corner, Products for the Laparoscopic Surgeon, Conference Reports, Journal Watch, and the Laparoscopy Web which includes updates on websites that provide laparoscopic surgeons with invaluable information.

To your left is a Category Cloud, where frequently used categories appear larger than less frequently used categories

This open access online version contains complete PDF files of past issues and searchable text. As well as the latest news from SLS, LaparoscopyToday.com features an innovative category cloud identifying hot MIS topics based on popularity.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

April 14, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 17TH SLS ANNUAL MEETING AND ENDO EXPO 2008

Contact:    Paul Wetter, MD, FACOG, FACS
                 Chairman, The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
                 7330 SW 62nd Place, Suite 410, Miami, FL, USA
                 (800) 446-2659
                 Register online at www.sls.org   

                       17th SLS Annual Meeting and Endo Expo 2008

Miami, FL – April 21, 2008

    “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood…” so said
    Daniel H. Burnham, a visionary leader for the City of Chicago and the organizer
    of the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893 and publisher of
    the 1909 Plan of Chicago.

As an attendee of the 17th Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Annual Meeting and Endo Expo 2008 in Chicago, birthplace of the skyscraper, you too can “make no little plans.”

From September 17-20, 2008, esteemed national and international laparoscopic surgeons will assemble at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place to increase their own knowledge and share what they know with others at this multispecialty conference on laparoscopic, endoscopic, and minimally invasive surgical techniques.  The meeting offers six Master’s Classes; Plenary Sessions; Lap Updates of multiple topics; Live Surgery Telecasts; Exhibitions; Competition for Best Papers, Videos, and Posters from Professors to Fellows and Residents; Future Technology Sessions; and over 200 Scientific presentations in General Surgery, Gynecology, and Urology.

As in 2007, you can custom-tailor your 2008 conference experience to address your needs and interests–GYN Laparoscopy, Surgical Endoscopy, or Endourology.  What a conference!

Awards will be presented for Best Poster ($500) and for the Resident Award-Winning Paper ($1,000). Distinguished inventor, pioneer, and physician, Dr. Harrith Hasson, is this year’s Excel Award recipient.  Virtual Live Telesurgeries will be a robotic colon resection and a hysterectomy of endometriosis. Visit our Virtual Exhibit Hall where you can participate in the “Top Gun Laparoscopy Shoot-Out,” learn about the latest innovations of the past year, and meet and greet our corporate sponsors at over 40 booths. The SLS booth and Cyber Café offer information about upcoming conferences, membership and its benefits, plus cyber services like a WiFi station, E-mail access, and hands-on online resources. Our special event is the SLS Evening with Faculty, which features a tour, dinner, and a keynote speaker. This years’ Evening is “Exploring Space at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum.”  Another special event for spouse or guest is an architecture tour of Chicago, which begins at the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum and Studio.

This is the vanguard of medical conferences. It organizers—with you in mind—have “made no little plans”!

Visit our Web sites at www.sls.org and www.laparoscopy.org for complete information for attendees, exhibitors, and those who would like to submit an abstract.

January 23, 2008

JSLS Ranks in the Top 100

Out of 10,000 titles, JSLS, Journal of the Society of Laparoendscopic Surgeons, was ranked in the top 100 on IngentaConnect for full-text downloads in April, June, August, November, and December 2007. Search JSLS for critical findings in MIS, then get the details on how to submit your research to this top ranking journal.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

December 04, 2007

IMPORTANT ASIANAMERICAN MULTISPECIALTY SUMMIT DEADLINES

Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
AsianAmerican Multispecialty Summit III • Laparoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery
February 6-9, 2008/Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa/Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

SAVE $100!
Register for the AsianAmerian MultiSpecialty Summit III by December 6, 2007 for early bird registration savings.

GET DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES!

Reserve your room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa by January 5, 2008. Discounted rooms will no longer be held after this date.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa
2005 Kalia Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 98615, USA
Tel: (808) 949-4321
Fax: (808) 947-7898

November 27, 2007

SPECIAL VIDEO SESSION added to AsianAmerican MultiSpecialty Summit III Program

SURGICAL SURPRISES, ACCIDENTS, & COMPLICATIONS
To Err is Human, To Correct is Master Surgeon- Now How ##!!** Do I Get Out of This?


“…from the errors of others, a wise man corrects his own.” – Syru


Thursday, February 7, 2008 • 1:30–5:00pm • Break: 3:00–3:30pm

An unusual video format featuring surgical accidents, mishaps, and surprises occurring during the course of laparoscopic surgery.

A multispecialty panel of invited experts from USA and Asia will invoke their specialty backgrounds in discussing these videos with attention given to lessons learned and appropriate action/reaction should a similar event happen to anyone in the audience.

All registered delegates and attendees are invited to submit videos for this unique session. Click here for submission details and the complete Summit program.

Faculty
Charles H. Koh, MD, Director
Elspeth M. McDougall, MD, Co-Director
Maurice K. Chung, MD
William E. Kelley, Jr., MD

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

October 03, 2007

NEW SLS Scholarly Laparoscopy Search Web Page

Spend Less Time Looking for an Article!  Check Out the NEW SLS Scholarly Laparoscopy Search Web Page!


What is the Scholarly Laparoscopy Search?

The Scholarly Laparoscopy Search provides a simple way to search for information and literature on a wide range of laparoscopic and MIS topics.  From one place, you can search across many sources using the subset of MIS search topics by specialty.

Features of the Scholarly Laparoscopy Search

  • Search multiple sources from one convenient place
  • Find papers, abstracts, articles, research material and MIS Information
  • Locate complete journal articles from JSLS, Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
  • Learn about key advancements in MIS
  • Fast one-click search is easy to use. Search Now!

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

August 31, 2007

1st MEETING OF THE ITALIAN CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF LAPAROENDOSCOPIC SURGEONS (SLS)

SLS Italy Chapter
Joint Session in conjunction with
4th SEGI Annual MeetingPalermo_retouch

June 20-23, 2007
Teatro Massimo
Palermo, Italy

The first meeting of the SLS Italy Chapter in conjunction with the SEGI meeting in Palermo, Italy in June 2007 at Teatro Massimo, was a tremendous success. Presentations available on TheTrocar.com at http://www.thetrocar.net/view.asp?ID=39
 
Introduction
Paul Alan Wetter, MD, Miami USA - Chairman of SLS
Rosario Vecchio, MD, Catania Italy
President Italian Chapter of SLS

09.30 am - 10.30 am CLINICAL SESSION
CHAIR P.A. Wetter (USA)
Moderators T.Gargiulo (Italy)
R.Vecchio (Italy)

1 - TECHNIQUES FOR DIFFICULT LAPAROSCOPIC HYSTERECTOMIES
O.Sizzi (Italy)
2 - RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS IN LAPAROSCOPIC COLORECTAL SURGERY
R.Vecchio (Italy)
3 - LAPAROSCOPIC SIGMOID RECTUM RESECTION FOR BENIGN DISEASES
M.Civello (Italy)
4 - LAPAROSCOPIC EXTRAPERITONEAL RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY
M.Falsaperla (Italy)

11.30 am - 12.30 pm DISCUSSION LECTURE:
LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS OF BOWEL, BLADDER, URETER AND DIAPHRAGM
C. Nezhat

MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF ITALIAN CHAPTER OF SLS

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

July 06, 2007

LAPAROSCOPY WEB 6-1

WEBSURG.com has added a brand new section—Robotic Surgery. Approximately a hundred high quality videos optimized for portable media players and handheld devices are also now available for download for $6.95 per video.

SCIRUS.com, the search engine for scientific information only, allows users to search over 415 million science-specific web pages to pinpoint scientific scholarly, technical and medical data. The engine filters out everything but the science; so, when you search for REM, you’ll get articles on sleep not the rock group. Plus, users can select a range of subject areas; specify medium; find info in PDF and postscript files; and narrow searches by date, author, journal, or article. Visit the site to learn about additional features.

LAPAROSCOPYTODAY.com, the online counterpart to Laparoscopy Today, features downloadable PDF and searchable text versions of Laparoscopy Today as well as the latest news from SLS. Use the innovative category cloud, Google powered search engine, or JSLS Journal search to find the information you need.

GOTBariatricJobs.com Especially for those professionals seeking job placement in the area of bariatric surgery, this is the site of the only recruitment firm nationwide specializing in job placement for bariatric surgeons, nurses, program coordinators and support staff in the surgical weight loss field. Here you can read bariatric news, search job opportunities, submit your resume/CV, and sign up for job alerts.

ReleMed.com, for relevant medicine, was developed by researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine to provide medical professionals, researchers, and the general public with a more efficient and targeted way to search PubMed for the latest, most relevant medical literature to answer medical queries- not just the most recently published articles randomly containing the search terms.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

July 05, 2007

MIS Information at Your Fingertips!

BOOKMARK THAT SITE!

PAUL ALAN WETTER, MD, ANN MORCOS, MA, ELS

Imagine the following scenarios: making rounds and attending to a patient with a condition that you are not familiar with; writing a paper based on your recent research, or patient case; writing a review article to submit to JSLS, Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons or another medical journal. In addition to using your computer, now imagine using your PDA or your cell phone as the tool for retrieving pertinent medical information in those situations! With the press of a few buttons, you can download the appropriate chapter of the first edition of Prevention and Management of Laparoendoscopic Surgical Complications, for example, or the “SLS Guide: Writing Effectively for MIS Journal Publication,” or other valuable information from the SLS website.

The mission of SLS is to “improve patient care and promote the highest standards of practice through education, training, and information distribution and to ensure that members have access to the newest ideas and approaches, as rapidly as possible.” Simply stated, SLS strives to make information available using the most convenient and practical means possible. They want to put information at your fingertips!

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

This mission might seem like a tall order; however, SLS is succeeding at its mission and now even taking it a step further. The newly expanded and redesigned websites, www.SLS.org and www.LaparoscopyToday.com have features that will allow you to access MIS information anytime, anywhere. This is possible using an RSS feed. Once you have an RSS feed reader, also known as an aggregator, installed on your computer, PDA, or cell phone, you can use your device to access the SLS website and obtain information instantly.

WHAT IS AN RSS FEED?

There is some discussion as to what RSS stands for, but the vote commonly goes to “Really Simple Syndication.” Essentially, it is a format for distributing content from sources on the web. RSS is particularly useful because it allows one to check for and retrieve the latest content available online from multiple information sources. The concept is based on syndicating information, much like newspapers have syndicated columns. The feed reader or aggregator software will grab the RSS feeds from your chosen websites and then display them on your computer or even manipulate them to be read on your cell phone or PDA.

HOW TO START USING FEEDS

The first thing you need is an RSS feed reader or aggregator which can either be accessed using a browser or as a downloadable application. At your request, the aggregator searches your chosen sites and sends new information from those sites directly to your computer, PDA, or cell phone. Aggregators are available for free (NewsGator or NetNewsWire Lite for Mac are available at www.NewsGator.com) or for a small fee ($29.95 for NetNewsWire, the fully functional version of NewsGator for Mac, also available at www.NewsGator.com). To take advantage of RSS on your PDA, try Quick News for Palm OS (http://standalone.com/palmos/quick_news). At just $14.95, it’s a bargain.

The number of sites offering RSS is rapidly increasing, with websites such as those for the New York Times and the BBC as well as www.WebMD.com and www.MedicineNet.com offering the feature to keep viewers informed of the latest news. Sites offering RSS will typically show the RSS icon (Figure 1) or offer site viewers the option of subscribing to the site.

SLS uses RSS feeds to allow easier communication of MIS information from its website to physicians around the world who have access to computers and hand-held communication devices. Surgeons might also use RSS feeds within their institutions to share protocols, new procedures, news, or institutional policies with their colleagues.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER NEW FEATURES ON SLS’ WEBSITES!

•    New search engines powered by Google and IngentaConnect make gathering information from SLS’ publications easy. Search and download past issues of JSLS (Full text is available online 3 months after publication for free; new issues are available exclusively to members via password and login). A search of the SLS websites, powered by Google, is very effective for looking up the educational information available online. SLS prides itself on providing medical content from varied sources including journals, textbooks, conferences, forums and blogs.

•    SLS Guide: Writing Effectively for MIS Journal Publication. This is a concise guide for both experienced writers and novices. It provides an overview of the steps to writing and preparing a submission worthy paper to MIS journals.  Useful tips on how to present your information; preparing for writing; types of articles; outlining your paper; reviewing and editing your paper; how to prepare abstracts both structured and unstructured; and helpful references for more in-depth information are also available.

•    MIS Discussion Forum. SLS is also starting a discussion page that provides a means of exchanging information and ideas. The current topic of discussion is hernias. Michael S. Kavic, MD, has submitted the article “Tension-free Repair Versus Watchful Waiting for Men with Asymptomatic or Minimally Symptomatic Inguinal Hernias: a Cost-effectiveness Analysis” by Stroupe KT, et al, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgery 2006;203(4):458-468 to stimulate discussion. One can log on, ask questions, provide feedback, and read others’ comments.

•    The 1st edition of Prevention and Management of Laparoendoscopic Surgical Complications—full text and illustrations—is now free online to both members and nonmembers of SLS. The first printing of this classic textbook was a complete sellout and has been translated into Chinese and Portuguese. With RSS feed reader installed on your PDA, cellphone, or computer you can access this textbook anywhere.

•    Prevention and Management of Laparoendoscopic Surgical Complications, 2nd Edition, which is a completely revised edition with 57 chapters and contributions from over 100 authors, is available for purchase through the website. This textbook is now being used in over 95% of MIS training programs. SLS members receive a discount when they purchase this text.

•    SLS Annual Meeting and Endo Expo proceedings are available online beginning with the 15th SLS Annual Meeting and Endo Expo 2006 held in Boston, Massachusetts, and will continue with the 16th SLS Annual Meeting and Endo Expo 2007  taking place in San Francisco, California, September 5-8, 2007. Information and proceedings for future meetings, including syllabi, will also be available online.

What more could you want from a society website? Well, there IS more! SLS’ publication Laparoscopy Today now has an online counterpart, LaparoscopyToday.com, with an innovative “category cloud” (Figure 2). The category cloud identifies the hottest topics based on popularity. Site visitors can download all previous issues of Laparoscopy Today which contain membership news, scientific articles, and important information about minimally invasive surgery.

True to its mission of promoting high practice standards through education, training, and distributing information, SLS is providing the most current research findings and educational material to minimally invasive surgeons worldwide through its newly updated Web sites. See for yourself at www.SLS.org and www.LaparoscopyToday.com.

Correspondence: Paul Alan Wetter, MD, 7330 SW 62nd Place, Ste 410, Miami, FL 33143. Telephone: 305 665 9959, Fax: 305 667 4123

Wetter_053007 Paul Alan Wetter, MD, is Professor Emeritus, University of Miami School of Medicine; Chairman of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, which he founded in 1990; Executive Editor of Laparoscopy Today; and Managing Editor of JSLS. He is the first gynecologist to bring endoscopic and microincision techniques for the treatment of tubal pregnancy, appendectomy, uterine fibroids, ovarian problems, and abnormal uterine bleeding to the State of Florida. He is also Florida’s first gynecologic surgeon to perform laparoscopic hysterectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, and laparoscopic treatments for tubal pregnancy.

Morcos_headshot Ann Conti Morcos, MA, ELS, has been a medical writer/editor for 20 years. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association, the Council of Science Editors, and is board certified by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences. Her work has appeared in ADVANCE for Directors in Rehabilitation, ADVANCE for Nurse Practitioners, Annals of Internal Medicine, ASCO Daily News, Cardiology World News, CBS HealthWatch, Kids Health.org, Boy's Life Magazine, and others. She is the Copy Editor for JSLS, Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons and the English-language editor for the Brazilian Archives of Cardiology. She also edits manuscripts for the Heart Institute (InCor) of the University of Sao Paulo Medical School in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

June 20, 2007

16TH SLS ANNUAL MEETING: DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S SPECIAL CONFERENCE EVENTS!

The Annual Meeting features four special events. The SPOUSE/GUEST WINE TOUR will whisk you away for a day to experience several wineries outside of San Francisco.

The SLS EVENING WITH FACULTY will be held at the Conservatory of Flowers. Join us for an evening of visual splendor, entertainment, and “Food among the Flowers.”

The EXCEL AWARD PRESENTATION AND LECTURE will feature 2007 Excel Award Recipient Elspeth M. McDougall, MD speaking on The Future of Surgery in Education.  

The BREAKFAST AND FUTURE TECHNOLOGY SESSION, titled The Edge of Innovation in Surgery, Space and Business, will feature three presentations on cutting edge technology in surgery.
 

Click here to view in-depth descriptions of Special Events.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

May 23, 2007

Look up your favorite topic on the new www.SLS.org

Miami, FL – May 2007 – The new SLS website is up and running!
Find the most thorough, user friendly, MIS research content available online.

Check Out These Exciting New Features on the SLS Website:

•  New search engines powered by Google.  Gathering information is now easier than ever before.  One can Google Search the content rich SLS site, as well as all past issues of JSLS. (Issues are available online 3 months after publication for free, current issue available exclusively to members with password login.)  “JSLS ranked in the IngentaConnect Top 100 of 10,000 titles for downloads in April 2007.”

•  Laparoscopy Today is now available online.  This publication includes SLS news and important information about minimally invasive surgery. The site features an innovative “category cloud” which identifies hot topics of interest based on popularity.

•  Complete Textbook Online: The full text and illustrations from Prevention and Management of Laparoendoscopic Surgical Complications, 1st Edition, is available free at the website for members and nonmembers alike. With an RSS feeder installed on your PDA or cell phone you can access this textbook anywhere.

•  The SLS Guide: Writing Effectively for MIS Journal Publication is online.  The guide provides an overview of the steps to writing and preparing a submission worthy paper to MIS journals.  It includes useful tips such as how to present your information; preparing to write; types of articles; outlining; reviewing and editing; and how to prepare abstracts.

•  Online Forum provides a means of exchanging information and ideas. The current topic of discussion is hernias. Check it out to ask questions, provide feedback and read others’ comments.

•  Archives and podcasts from past SLS conferences including the Annual Meeting and Endo Expo and the AsianAmerican Summits and EuroAmerican Summits.

•  If that isn’t enough you can access all of the journal, meeting, forum, textbook and other important information, not only from your computer, but from your web accessible cell phone or PDA using RSS - right from OR, the patients bedside, and any location. Info when you need it, where you need it.

SLS strives to make valuable medical information available using the most convenient and practical means possible.  Check out the newly designed SLS website at www.SLS.org to explore these exciting new features!  MIS research has never been so easy and comprehensive.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

May 17, 2007

16th SLS Annual Meeting: Laparoscopy's First 100% Custom-Tailored Conference

By providing topic-specific schedules, SLS is making it easier for Annual Meeting attendees to meet their individual educational needs. Visit the Meeting Personalizer Page and select your area of interest to view your personalized curriculum for the 16th SLS Annual Meeting and Endo Expo 2007.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

April 27, 2007

Check Your Mail: Annual Meeting Brochure

The brochure for the 16th SLS Annual Meeting and Endo Expo 2007 containing details of this year's information packed conference is in the mail. Can't wait to see what's new? Visit the Annual Meeting website.

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

January 01, 2006

HEALTH AFFAIRS LAUNCHES BLOG WITH POSTS ON HEALTH CARE REFORM BY LEADING HEALTH CARE ECONOMISTS

http://healthaffairs.org/blog/

Health Affairs, which has been in print for 25 years with an online presence for six, has started a blog to extend the dialogue on health policy issues. The goal of the blog is to offer a range of views on topics on the health policy horizon.

Health Affairs blog is in an experimental phase with posts in the 500 to 1,000-word range being generated by both journal editors and outside experts. Main elements of the blog will include:

• invited posts from leading policy analysts;
• responses from a variety of healthcare stakeholders;
• comments welcomed from all readers;
• links to timely information both within Health Affairs and from other sources;
• staff-written posts on policy briefings, new reports, hot policy topics

Recent posts include “PHARMA: Understanding Pharmaceutical Issues” and “BIOTECH: Value-Based Pricing in Biotechnology.” Comments from all readers are welcomed, and anyone who is interested can follow the conversation with the help of email alerts or the blog’s RSS feed.

“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.”
--Orison Swett Marden

www.Laparoscopy.org  The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source

Search SLS..... Enter Topic Here


  • SLS Organization
    Google Search YOUR FAVORITE TOPIC on SLS's Content Rich Website. Then look it up on the JSLS Journal Search below