Palliative surgery can be considered for terminally ill patients with bowel obstruction if the patient is likely to benefit from the surgery.

A retired surgeon explains how keeping a journal helped him deal with difficult professional situations and led him to stronger relationships with his patients.

The theme editor introduces a special issue focusing on the ethical issues that arise in the practice of surgery.

Physicians must express compassion when discussing risk and success rates of palliative surgery.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has implemented patient safety initiatives to help decrease the number of medical errors in surgery.

The gap between surgeons' professional idealism and clinical reality is widening because surgeons fail to keep up with the growing demand for evidence-based surgery.

Surgeons should not make medical decisions for a patient while the patient is under anesthesia.

Reality television programs that focus on cosmetic surgery show misguided viewers that such procedures are the key to emotional health and well-being.

There are many challenges that need to be overcome before a regulating body can be established to oversee surgical procedures and devices.

Surgery residents should always answered truthfully when asked by patients about their experience with surgical procedures.