Prof. Conor Delaney: there’s no best technique for rectal cancer
The 2017 Digestive Disease Institute Week (DDI Week) organized by the Cleveland Clinic was held successfully in Boca Raton, Florida, from Feb. 14th to 18th. As a grand feast in the field of digestive disease, the symposium attracted numerous experts from all over the world to get together to have deep discussion for hot topics in the digestive field, including Transanal Endoscopic Surgery (TES), Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME), fecal Incontinence and Rectal Prolapse, Revisional Bariatric/Metabolic Interventions (RBMI), etc.
During this symposium, Prof. Conor Delaney, from the Cleveland Clinic, had presented an excellent presentation on “The Evolution & Current Status of Enhanced Recovery Programs”. Seizing this opportunity, the Editorial Office of Annals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery (ALES) was honored to have an interview with Prof. Delaney (Figure 1).
As director of the DDI Week symposium, Prof. Delaney briefly introduced the highlights of the symposium, which included a diverse range of topics with a faculty including numerous international experts.
On the second day of the symposium, an expert debate on Best Technique for Rectal Cancer attracted all participants’ attention. When discussing about the best technique for rectal cancer, Prof. Delaney mentioned there’s no best technique for rectal cancer since the operation should be performed based on patient’s condition. Prof. Delaney as well told us the different conditions for different choice.
During the interview, Prof. Delaney also shared with us the important technique note for laparoscopic colorectal disease based on his previous published book, which we believe will be a useful guideline for young surgeons.
As for the future direction of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal diseases, Prof. Delaney mentioned two important directions should be noticed—improving technique teaching and coming up with standard.
At the end of the interview, Prof. Delaney passionately told us what makes him always feel proud of being a surgeon—satisfaction and fulfillment when curing patients (Figure 2)!
Interview questions
- Many topics are covered in this symposium. As the director, here would you like to share with us the highlights of the symposium? And which part you think is the most attractive or significant for our surgeons?
- We know that you’re going to share with us the topic about “The Evolution & Current Status of Enhanced Recovery Programs”. Here would you like to preview some information about this topic?
- There was a section of expert debate in the symposium, discussing about the Best Technique for rectal cancer. In your opinion, what do you think is the best technique for rectal cancer?
- We know that you’re quite an expert in the laparoscopic colorectal surgery and previously also wrote a book about its operative technique. Here would you like to summarize some important technique note about laparoscopic colorectal surgery that you’ll like to share to our young surgeons to improve their skill?
- With the fast development of technology, what do you think the future direction of development of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal diseases?
- What makes you feel proud of your role as a doctor?
- What’ll you do to update yourself with the latest progress?
Expert introduction
Prof. Conor P. Delaney, MD, PhD, is Chairman of the Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, with responsibility for the Departments of Colorectal Surgery, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Surgery. He holds a Master of Surgery and PhD degree from the University College Dublin in Ireland. His postgraduate education included a residency through the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Cleveland Clinic. Prof. Delaney holds the Victor W. Fazio MD Endowed Chair in Colorectal Surgery.
Prof. Delaney has received a number of prizes, scholarships and awards over the course of his career in training, education and research. He is a member and serves on administrative committees of many national and international professional societies, serves on the editorial board of eight national and international journals, and is the founder and past-president of the International Society for Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, and Midwest Surgical Association. He has a number of patents, and several years ago founded a healthcare analytics company called Socrates Analytics based on his interest in IT, healthcare finances, process and operations.
Prof. Delaney has given over 300 lectures nationally and internationally and has published eight books and about three hundred other manuscripts in scientific journals on topics relating to surgical education, colorectal cancer surgery, laparoscopic colorectal surgery and peri-operative care for intestinal surgery. His clinical interests include laparoscopic colorectal surgery, carcinoma of the colon, rectum and anus; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, sphincter-saving surgery, re-operative abdominal surgery and colonoscopy. His research interests include various aspects of colorectal surgery, cost-efficiency in surgery, and surgical education.
Acknowledgments
Funding: None.
Footnote
Provenance and Peer Review: This article was commissioned by the editorial office, Annals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery. The article did not undergo external peer review.
Conflicts of Interest: The author has completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/ales.2017.03.21). The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.
Ethical Statement: The author is accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
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References
- Gao S. Prof. Conor Delaney: there’s no best technique for rectal cancer. Asvide 2017;4:196. Available online: http://www.asvide.com/articles/1505
(Science Editor: Skylar Gao, ALES, ales@amegroups.com)
Cite this article as: Gao S. Prof. Conor Delaney: there’s no best technique for rectal cancer. Ann Laparosc Endosc Surg 2017;2:86.
