Novel Uses of Indocyanine Green in Thoracic Surgery: A Review and Case Series.

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a water-soluble molecule that emits fluorescence in the near-infrared light spectrum. Due to its fluorescence properties, safety profile, and cost-effectiveness, ICG is used in minimally invasive surgery, enabling real-time visualization of structures during the operation. Until recently, its use was mainly limited to robotic surgery, which required specific technological setups to visualize the fluorescence. With recent technological advancements, however, similar capabilities can now be integrated into smaller laparoscopic instruments, broadening the accessibility and usefulness of ICG. In this article, we present various innovative applications of ICG in thoracic surgery, drawing from recent developments in the field and our own experiences. Specifically, we focus on the novel role of ICG in the evaluation of gastric conduit perfusion, lung nodule localization, and thoracic duct ligation.

The Representation of Women Moderators at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been an increase in the representation of women within the cardiothoracic surgery workforce, with discussions about gender equity garnering interest. We sought to identify whether this increase is accompanied by commensurate selection for representation at national meetings. METHODS: Online archives of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Annual Meetings were reviewed from 2015 to 2024. Data regarding the moderator's gender were abstracted. The gender distribution of moderators across the various session categories was surveyed, and subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: During the years of study, the STS Annual Meeting Taskforce selected 983 moderators to participate in the conference, including 218 women. The representation of women moderators demonstrated a favorable, upward trend. In 2015, 12.1% of moderators were women, with a consistent rate from 2015 to 2018. There was a noticeable rise in invited women moderators in 2019, with 25.4% of moderators being women. This proportion increased to 36.9% women in 2024. General Thoracic sessions have consistently included a greater percentage of women moderators compared with other sessions. Other topic areas, such as Education and Quality Improvement and Critical Care, transitioned to greater representation of women in recent years. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an increase over time in women moderators selected for participation in the STS Annual Meeting, with progress in gender diversity seen in most session types. Although the overall proportion of women within cardiothoracic surgery remains low, the STS has increasingly worked toward encouraging inclusivity. Efforts to further support well-rounded representation are of important benefit.

Sociodemographic factors and research experience impact MD-PhD program acceptance.

The 2014 NIH Physician-Scientist Workforce Working Group predicted a future shortage of physician-scientists. Subsequent studies have highlighted disparities in MD-PhD admissions based on race, income, and education. Our analysis of data from the Association of American Medical Colleges covering 2014-2021 (15,156 applicants and 6,840 acceptees) revealed that acceptance into US MD-PhD programs correlates with research experience, family income, and research publications. The number of research experiences associated with parental education and family income. Applicants were more likely to be accepted with a family income greater than $50,000 or with one or more publications or presentations. Applicants were less likely to be accepted if they had parents without a graduate degree, were Black/African American, were first-generation college students, or were reapplicants, irrespective of the number of research experiences, publications, or presentations. These findings underscore an admissions bias that favors candidates from affluent and highly educated families, while disadvantaging underrepresented minorities.