A Change in Lingo

Obesity Surgery, 14, 159

Editorial

A Change in Lingo During the 14 years of the Journal OBESITY SURGERY, certain words used commonly by authors have changed. Whereas originally, authors frequently reported “patients” (e.g. a leak occurred in five patients), there is a trend to “cases” (a leak occurred in five cases) or “subjects” (five subjects developed leaks). I am not sure what this trend means, but it may be that we are depersonalizing the patients. Here, “patients” connotes a complication in a human being, with whom the surgeon has personally interacted and who has put his/her confidence in the surgeon, as well as a waiting family and even potential litigation. In like fashion, authors now talk less of “opera-

tions” and more of “procedures”, e.g. 250 duodenal switch procedures or 300 laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures. At one time, “procedure” was appropriate for a lumbar puncture or a gastroscopy or having one’s nails manicured. We now tend to use “procedures” for “operations” of considerable complexity, and may be downplaying the magnitude. A function of this Journal has been to communicate the techniques, hazards, art and science of the operations necessary to thwart the challenges in patients who have massive obesity and co-morbidities. M. Deitel, MD, Editor

BARIATRIC SURGERY Excellent opportunity for BC/BE General Surgeon with special interest, training and/or experience in Bariatric Surgery to join well-established private practice in Lewiston, Maine. The position offers the opportunity to build a busy Bariatric Surgery service with General Surgery responsibilities. Enjoy the professional challenges offered in a sophisticated medical community, along with the wonderful recreational opportunities and quality of life in Maine. For more information, please contact: Julia Lauver, Medical Staff Recruiter, Central Maine Medical Center, 300 Main Street, Lewiston, ME 04240. Call 800/445-7431, fax: 207/795-5696, or email: [email protected]

OBESITY SURGERY SOCIETY OF INDIA 2nd International Obesity Surgery Congress “OSSICON 2004” New Delhi, India Saturday, March 13 & Sunday, March 14, 2004 Organized by Department of Minimal Access Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi

For information contact: Dr. Pradeep Chowbey Organizing Chairman “OSSICON 2004” New Delhi Tel: +91-11-25821768/ 25748085 Fax: +91-11-26519935/ 25748085 E-mail: [email protected] www.sgrh.com

© FD-Communications Inc.

Dr. Shrihari Dhorepatil President, Obesity Surgery Society of India E-mail: [email protected] www.MASone.org

Obesity Surgery, 14, 2004

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