Weekly Report (2/21-2/27)

This week, I spent a lot of time focusing on my research and accumulating background information for my final product. I have been learning about previous studies conducted on the various effects major gastrointestinal surgery has on weight loss, as well as the effects of preoperative weight loss on postoperative complications and 5-year survival. Before completing all of this research, I had no idea that weight loss before surgery could influence the chances of postoperative survival, however in patients who have undergone surgery to remove esophageal cancer, preoperative weight loss indicated a slightly worse 5-year survival. The same can be said for patients who suffer from severe postoperative weight loss, which is weight loss of ≥10% of the preoperative weight loss. These patients experience a lower 5-year survival rate, however there doesn't seem to be a correlation between weight loss and postoperative complications. I am observing in the operating rooms at Parkland on Thursday, and Dr. Mansour has informed me that I will most likely be observing a total gastrectomy as well as a distal pancreatectomy, splenectomy. I am excited to witness these surgeries, and I feel that viewing these operations will give me the opportunity to learn firsthand about the surgical aspects of surgical oncology.