Description of Research Opportunities and Resources

The General Surgery Residency Program has a very strong commitment to basic science, clinical and education research. The Research Division of the Department of Surgery at both parent institutions maintains an active program in basic science and clinical research under the leadership of nationally and internationally renowned clinical investigators Dr. Ping Wang and Dr. Kevin Tracey.

There is no formal requirement for a dedicated period of basic science research during the residency, however, all categorical residents are assigned academic (clinical) projects and expected to be involved with at least one clinical or basic science research project at all times during the training period. Varied clinical research projects are continuously underway at both NSUH and LIJMC allowing this requirement to be fulfilled in most areas of clinical interest. During the five years of training, residents are required to participate in clinical investigation leading to publication of at least one peer-reviewed manuscript.

Residents interested in the pursuit of academic careers, or subspecialties in which basic science research is expected, are encouraged to spend one or two years in basic science research at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research under the supervision of dedicated faculty who can serve as mentors. NIH sponsored translational and basic science research projects are ongoing at the Feinstein Institute. Residents involved in research participate in every part aspect of the scientific method with the ultimate goal of becoming independent investigators. Residents may also pursue basic science research at outside institutions with the pre-approval of the Program Director. Upon completion of their research fellowship, residents re-enter the program at the appropriate level of training.

Resident Research Projects

The following are just a few of the current research topics currently being studied:

1.   Learning curve of surgeons for Single incision laparoscopic surgery procedures
2.   IC and chronic pelvic pain
3.   Food sensitivity in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
4.   Anal intraepithelial neoplasia with positive lymph nodes positive arising in a rectal
          villotubular adenoma.
5.   Audiovisual scales: Analysis of surgical skill
6.   Off-clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy outcomes stratified by clinical stage
7.   Alvimopan: Does it reduce post-operative ileus in laparoscopic colorectal surgery?
8.   Significance of abdominal pain in gastric bypass patients
9.   Comparison of premixed TPN with customized TPN
10.   Fibromatosis of the breast
11.   AAA and ICU mortality
12.   Robotic vs. laparoscopic colorectal surgery: An institutional experience
13.   US guided midline catheter placement in the ICU
14.   CT scan to rule out appendicitis: Useful adjunctive test or healthcare burden?
15.   Bleeding risk secondary to DVT prophylaxis in patients with lower GI bleeding
16.   Carotid endarectomy and ICU mortality
17.   Injury scoring system and ICU mortality
18.   Laparoscopic resection of gastric artery aneurysm
19.   Balloon maturation of AV fistula
20.   Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm complicating choledochal cyst excision
21.   Hepatic adenoma in pediatric population
22.   Endovascular treatment of traumatic thoracic aortic injuries
23.   Utility of HIDA vs. CT vs. US vs. clinical exam for diagnosing acute cholecystitis
24.   Portal vein thrombosis in IBD
25.   Hybrid repair of thoracic aortic pathology - Mid term outcomes analysis
26.   Use of Mitek bone anchors in flank hernia repair
27.   New technique for minimally invasive repair of spondylolisthesis
28.   First case of LN metastasis from intramucosal tubulovillus adenoma
29.   Right laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy