My first year in academic practice: what I learned, what I wish I knew, what I would do differently

Joining a practice for the first time after training, whether in academia or the private sector, is fraught with challenges and a learning curve. Postgraduate education has not sufficiently taught anyone how to manage the nuances of this new arena or how to become successful. Success is not solely a function measured by reportable taxable income. Respect by colleagues, patients, partners, and staff is just as important, if not more so. The financial attributes will be realized if the tangibles and intangibles discussed are appropriately executed in the correct environment. This article will discuss what to be cognizant of during the first years in academic practice and how to build a foundation for success.     

Special considerations for the male patient: things I wish I knew when I started practice

This article is an introduction to dealing with the male patient in a facial plastic surgery practice. It combines experience, data from other sources, and personal opinions to assist especially the younger surgeon. Topics include trends involving males in society and in facial plastic surgery, physical and mental considerations, types of procedures, and types of personalities. It carries this subject forward to explore briefly more difficult personalities and unhealthy types of patients as well as a few possible scenarios that the surgeon might encounter.     

Guidelines for Sclerotherapy of Varicose Veins (ICD 10: I83.0, I83.1, I83.2, and I83.9)

BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy is the targeted elimination of intracutaneous, subcutaneous, and/or transfascial varicose veins (perforating veins) as well as the sclerosation of subfascial varicose vessels in the case of venous malformation by the injection of a sclerosant. With duplex-guide sclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy, modified methods came into use. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to create a guideline, based on the available publications and on the European Consensus Document on foam sclerotherapy from April 2003. METHODS: This guideline was drafted on behalf of the German Society of Phlebology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Phlebologie) and adopted by the committee and scientific advisory board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Phlebologie on June 15, 2001, and amended on December 5, 2003. The guideline considers the present state of knowledge as reflected in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: This guideline represents the recent state of the art of sclerotherapy of varicose veins in Germany including foam sclerotherapy.