Robotic Surgery: From Training to Innovation with Dr. Aaron Dawes

Robotic Surgery: From Training to Innovation with Dr. Aaron Dawes

In this episode of Scrubcast, Assistant Professor Dr. Dawesdiscusses what drew him to colorectal surgery—including his love for intestinal surgery, the field's breadth from minor anorectal procedures to complex pelvic surgeries, the welcoming culture, and love of new technology.   Dr. Dawes highlights exciting advances in robotic surgery,including performing California's first single-port colectomy with Dr. Gahagan. He explains how single-port robotic technology is particularly beneficial for natural orifice procedures, such as transanal surgery for rectal polyps and cancers, as well as operations involving stomas. While he acknowledges that robotic surgery won't completely replace traditional open surgery—especially for complex reoperative cases—he believes it's lowering the technical barriers for minimally invasive procedures and expanding what surgeons can offer patients. As Stanford's Director of Robotic Education, he has been revamping the surgical residency curriculum [https://med.stanford.edu/surgery/news2/gensurgres-robot-training.html] to make robotic training more transparent and accessible, with clear milestones for both residents and faculty.   Read about his new K award: https://surgery.stanford.edu/news2/dawes-k08.html [https://surgery.stanford.edu/news2/dawes-k08.html]

Peripheral Nerves with Dr. Catherine Curtin

On this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker speaks with Dr.Catherine Curtin, a professor specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford University's Department of Surgery. Dr. Curtin explains that peripheral nerves—nerves outside the brain and spinal cord—are the "neglected children" of medicine and can cause a wide range of problems from headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome. Her new favorite nerve isthe peroneal nerve, which is located on the outside of the knee. She discusses common issues related to this nerve, including foot drop and clumsiness, while sharing insights from her research aimed at identifying individuals at higherrisk of peripheral nerve injuries. The conversation also touches on the importance of preventative measures and advancements in diagnosing these conditions. Dr. Curtin discusses her research aimed at identifying at-risk individuals before they experience falls and injuries.   Don’t miss the episode's "lightning round" when Dr.Curtin shares her admiration for her mentor Dr. Rod Hentz, her mantra to "be the blessing," and her unique approach of letting awake patients choose the operating room music …and threatening to play Justin Bieber if they can't decide!   Link to International Orthopaedics articles: An overview of common peroneal nerve dysfunction and systematic assessment of its relation to falls [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9674763/⁠]   Carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis as a risk factor for falls [https://link-springer-com.laneproxy.stanford.edu/article/10.1007/s00264-024-06395-y]

Innovative Approaches to Abdominal Cancer: A Deep Dive into HIPEC and PIPAC with Dr. Byrne Lee

In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker speaks with Dr. Byrne Lee, a clinical professor specializing in surgical oncology at Stanford University. Dr. Lee shares his personal connection to cancer, discussing how family experiences have shaped his dedication to the field. The episode delves into innovative treatments such as Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) and the emerging technique of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC), highlighting their roles in treating cancers that have spread to the abdominal cavity. Dr. Lee emphasizes the importance of a patient-centered approach in cancer care, offering insights into the evolving landscape of treatment options and the crucial role of multidisciplinary collaboration in improving patient outcomes. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of not only the technical aspects of these advanced therapies but also the emotional and ethical considerations that accompany cancer treatment. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Dr. Lee inspires hope and resilience in the face of challenging diagnoses. Link to “Results of the First Phase I PIPAC Trial in the United States: Braving the Storm:” https://link.springer.com/article/10.1245/s10434-023-14353-y

Where Cancer and Cardiovascular Health Meet with Dr. Nazish Sayed

Scubcast welcomes back Dr. Nazish Sayed, an associate professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery, for a discussion on the latest research in cardio vascular health. In this episode, Dr. Sayed reflects on the enduring benefits of statins, delves into the intricacies of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and their effects on vascular endothelial cells, and introduces innovative approaches in studying vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome. He also shares personal experiences as both a clinician and cancer survivor, shedding light on the emotional journey of patients navigating "scanxiety." Tune in to explore cutting-edge advancements in cardio-oncology and precision medicine that promise to improve patient care and outcomes in this fascinating field.

Exploring the Intersection of Surgery and Cancer Research with Dr. Dan Delitto

Dr. Dan Delitto is an assistant professor of surgery at Stanford University specializes in surgical oncology and holds a PhD in immunology. On this episode, Dr. Delitto reflects on his decision to pursue an MD-PhD pathway during residency and discusses the recent advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing technology that his lab has acquired. He explains the complex role of fibroblasts in cancer development, particularly in pancreatic ductal carcinoma, highlighting how these cells can both promote and hinder tumor growth. The conversation includes a lightning round, during which Dr. Delitto shares his admiration for his mentor, Steve Hughes, and offers succinct advice on the importance of surgical experience. He also mentions his preference for trance music while working and shares his excitement about ongoing and future research projects in his lab, which include investigations into various cancers, such as sarcomas. Link to Nature Cancer article “Cancer-derived mitochondria fuel fibroblasts to become pro-tumorigenic.”: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43018-025-01005-1 Link to Cell Reports article “Disruption of fibroblast MYD88 signaling promotes antitumor immunity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma”: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)01118-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2211124725011180%3Fshowall%3Dtrue