Video Archives

Genital Affirmation: Surgical Anatomy and Complications

Posted by Dmitriy Nikolavsky, MD | Sep 2024

Dmitriy Nikolavsky, MD, draws on his 12-year experience in managing complications from gender-affirming surgeries, starting with an admission of initial unfamiliarity with the procedures. In this 21-minute presentation, Nikolavsky begins by emphasizing the importance of competent, sensitive healthcare, as many transgender patients report mistreatment in medical settings.
Dr. Nikolavsky outlines surgical procedures such as vaginoplasty and phalloplasty. He describes the steps to create a neovagina, including penile inversion techniques, and highlights common complications like strictures, fistulas, and prolapse. For phalloplasty, the steps involve creating urethral extensions and penile structures, with complications such as urethral strictures and fistulas also being common. He shares photos, illustrations, and a short video to illustrate the steps and possible complications in the procedures.
The importance of postoperative care, including dilation protocols for vaginoplasty patients, is highlighted, as failure to adhere can lead to neovaginal obliteration. Dr. Nikolavsky also touches on long-term issues, such as the need for prostate monitoring in trans women due to the retained prostate after surgery, and managing complications that arise from using various tissues, including gastrointestinal segments.

Functionalizing the Utility of @X/(Twitter) in Your Practice

Posted by Seth A. Cohen, MD, FACS | Sep 2024

Seth A. Cohen, MD, FACS, explores the role of social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), in enhancing professional development for medical practitioners. In this 11-minute presentation, Cohen explains that X can be a powerful tool for physicians, offering opportunities for networking, research collaborations, patient education, community engagement, and increasing visibility for one’s specialty. He emphasizes that X is a “town square” for modern communication, allowing physicians to share knowledge, advocate for healthcare issues, and keep up to date with the latest research through journal handles and hashtags.
By curating relevant content and maintaining professionalism, physicians can maximize the potential of X while maintaining a work-life balance. The presentation encourages medical professionals to engage thoughtfully with social media to promote their work and foster greater connections in the field.

Psychology of Achievement

Posted by Stephen A. Blakely, MD | Sep 2024

Stephen A. Blakely, MD, delves into the psychology of achievement, focusing on how passion and dedication can drive success, particularly in medical education and training. In this 12-minute presentation, Blakely emphasizes his personal commitment to helping trainees and highlights the inadequacy of traditional responses to trainees’ struggles. He explores three key concepts from positive psychology: grit, growth mindset, and deliberate practice.

Advances and Controversies in Theranostic Approaches to Prostate Cancer

Posted by Eric M. Rohren, MD, PhD | Sep 2024

Eric M. Rohren, MD, PhD, analyzes how theranostics—combining therapeutic and diagnostic processes—are reshaping prostate cancer management. For example, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), used as a biomarker for both imaging and targeted therapy in PSMA-targeted PET scans, offers precise tumor localization, significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy. PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals such as 68Ga-PSMA-11 for PET imaging and 177Lu-PSMA-617 for therapy have been shown to improve detection rates and treatment outcomes, particularly in metastatic and castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Despite these advancements, Dr. Rohren acknowledges the challenges in theranostic approaches. The variability in PSMA expression among patients can impact the effectiveness of both imaging and therapy. Additionally, he discusses the potential side effects and toxicity associated with radioligand therapy, emphasizing the need for careful patient selection and monitoring.

Dr. Rohren also explores the ethical and regulatory considerations in the adoption of theranostics. He highlights the need for standardized protocols and guidelines to ensure consistent application and patient safety.

Surgical Education Post-Pandemic

Posted by Granville L. Lloyd, MD | Sep 2024

Granville L. Lloyd, MD, reflects on how the pandemic has influenced surgical education and its evolution. In this 11-minute presentation, Lloyd highlights the shift in teaching practices, noting the pandemic’s significant impact, pushing educational methods away from the traditional hospital and operating room settings.

Lloyd asserts that increased focus on data entry and administrative tasks has diminished job satisfaction for many. He laments that current residents spend more time in front of computers than interacting with patients, a stark contrast to earlier times. The pandemic introduced new educational challenges, particularly regarding the shift to virtual learning platforms like Zoom and the rise of telehealth.
Lloyd advocates for a return to in-person education and fostering a learning environment centered on a passion for medicine. While disruptive, the pandemic is a potential opportunity to rethink how medical education can better align with these values, moving beyond metrics to a more fulfilling professional journey.