Hot Topics in Colorectal Surgery

Gregory D. Kennedy, MD, PhD

As a busy academic colon and rectal surgeon I find it difficult to stay abreast on all of the new developments in the breadth of colon and rectal surgery. Mostly I find myself overwhelmed by a bulging electronic medical record inbox demanding my attention, emails regarding my latest patient satisfaction scores, and hospital and clinic administrators that are pushing me to see more patients and do more cases. I suspect that I am not alone in these struggles. Needless to say, my intellectual pursuits get put on the back burner and before you know it, I do not know the latest literature on the treatment of diseases that I see every day.

The goal of this volume is to summarize the up-to-date, evidence-based approach to some of the basic questions that I am asked by patients every week. I have thought about these issues as “hot topics” but in fact, they are simply common problems with some areas of controversy or areas that are easy to fall behind on like the latest advances in chemotherapy. In this issue, the authors have done a remarkable job of presenting their work and have written the most up-to-date article you will find on the topic.

I would like to thank the authors for their thoughtful and timely efforts. Each has written an article that is well researched and up-to-date. I think this edition will serve as the latest and most thorough information on each of the respective topics. Finally, I would like to thank the editor of the Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, Dr. Scott Steele, for providing the opportunity to serve as a guest editor. This has been an eye-opening and rewarding process.