Edward L Jones1,2, Jin Ye Yeo3
1Department of Surgery, The University of Colorado School of Medicine & The Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA; 2Rocky Mountain Regional Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA; 3ALES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. ALES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: ales@amegroups.com
This interview can be cited as: Jones EL, Yeo JY. Meeting the Editorial Board Member of ALES: Dr. Edward L Jones. Ann Laparosc Endosc Surg. 2024. Available from: https://ales.amegroups.org/post/view/meeting-the-editorial-board-member-of-ales-dr-edward-l-jones.
Expert introduction
Dr. Edward L Jones (Figure 1) is the Chief of Surgery for the Rocky Mountain VAMC and an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado in Aurora, CO. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Colorado and went on to complete a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery, flexible endoscopy and ERCP at the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.
Dr. Jones’s clinical interests include advanced endoscopic procedures and teaching as well as minimally invasive and robotic surgery. He has presented and taught at national and international meetings and published nearly 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters. Dr. Jones is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as well as an active member of the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and the Association of VA Surgeons among others.
Figure 1 Dr. Edward L Jones
Interview
ALES: What inspired you to pursue a career in surgery, and specifically, robotic and minimally invasive surgery?
Dr. Jones: During residency training, I was fortunate to see increasingly complex procedures performed using minimally invasive techniques. Operations that had traditionally been performed open, such as esophagectomies and pancreaticoduodenectomies could not be done through multiple small incisions and/or with the robot. I was also part of the transition from a routine standard, open approach for common inguinal, umbilical, and ventral/incisional hernias to a minimally invasive approach, which clearly demonstrated reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital length of stay, and a faster recovery overall. Even though these techniques had not been widely implemented in private practice, I felt that improved outcomes and recovery were the ways of the future and was fortunate to be part of a fellowship that was at the cutting edge of minimally invasive surgery almost 10 years ago.
ALES: Could you share with us the most exciting advancements you have seen in robotic and minimally invasive surgery over the past few years? How have these advancements impacted patient outcomes?
Dr. Jones: It seems that every other month, there is a new publication describing both the safety and improved outcomes of robotic and minimally invasive surgery. One of the most exciting areas that I can see returning is minimally invasive common bile duct exploration for choledocholithiasis. This was an area that was almost exclusively managed by surgeons 30 years ago until the widespread implementation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). With the improvement in laparoscopic and robotic technology, we are now able to “take back” this area from our gastrointestinal (GI) colleagues and treat patients with choledocholithiasis with a single procedure, reducing the length of stay and cost without an increase in morbidity or mortality.
ALES: In your experience, what are some of the biggest challenges when performing endoscopic procedures? How do you overcome these challenges?
Dr. Jones: Concerning endoscopy, it seems the only limitation is our imagination! Increasingly large tumors and masses are being excised completely through the endoscope via endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and even full-thickness resections. We perform bariatric and anti-reflux surgery without abdominal incisions. We see investigators continue to improve technology in ways that will likely allow increasingly complex incisionless surgeries such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and more!
ALES: In addition to research, you are also involved in the education and training of future surgeons. How do you approach mentoring young surgeons, and what values do you hope to impart to your students?
Dr. Jones: Over the last several years we have seen multiple publications demonstrating the challenges of appropriately educating new surgeons and students. I have fully embraced the idea that our faculty and educators must have some formal training in order to optimize their teaching and mentorship. Some of the most effective techniques that I have learned have been imparted to me in a 2 to 3-hour online training course. To focus on one area that I feel most passionate about is education in the operating room or endoscopy suite. Each procedure should start with a discussion that centers on the learner, identifying their current knowledge and understanding of the patient and the procedure. It is best to set a few targeted goals to optimize the session and then, while the case proceeds, it is critical to deliver feedback in a nonjudgmental way, taking special care to address the goals that were set for the case. Once the procedure is complete, asking the learner, “How did it go?” starts the focused conversation on their emotions and understanding of the case, its outcomes, and whether or not their goals were achieved.
ALES: As an active member of the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), how do you see the role of these societies in advancing both research and clinical practice?
Dr. Jones: SAGES is a unique organization that has brought together many, like-minded individuals who are all focused on improving care for our patients. It is the meeting I look forward to the most every year as I get to see old and new friends as well as learn new techniques and stay abreast of new technology. I am also fortunate to participate in multiple committees where we help guide other surgeons as to best practices and focus on always moving forward with education and patient care. These societies are critical in the advancement of new techniques, new technologies, and new procedures and, in my opinion, attendance at an annual congress of some sort should be a requirement for all practicing surgeons.
ALES: As the Chief of Surgery at the Rocky Mountain VAMC and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado, how do you balance the demands of clinical practice, academic responsibilities, and research?
Dr. Jones: It has been quite challenging to balance my new administrative responsibilities as the Chief of Surgery alongside my clinical and research demands. What has been even more difficult is ensuring that my family remains #1 on my goal list. As multiple authors have stated, it is impossible to ‘do it all,’ and I have found that maintaining a prioritized list of my goals makes it easier to decide when there is a conflict.
ALES: What are your expectations and aspirations for ALES?
Dr. Jones: I have been fortunate to start working early with ALES and see great potential for this to become one of the most prominent journals in surgery; that is because of its flexibility, rapid article processing, and focus on advancing surgery and new procedures and technology. While gaining a significant influence and impact on the surgical realm does not happen overnight, through partnership with leaders in the realm of surgery, I expect its ascent to be rapid.