IC 03-2025 My Worst Case and What I Learned—A Panel Discussion of Challenging Cases and Practice Advice for Early Career Members (CME)-IC 03-2025 My Worst Case and What I Learned—A Panel Discussion of Challenging Cases and Practice Advice for Early Career Members (CME)

IC 03-2025 My Worst Case and What I Learned—A Panel Discussion of Challenging Cases and Practice Advice for Early Career Members (CME)

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Video Summary

The Early Career Committee hosted an instructional course, “My Worst Case and What I Learned,” where young orthopedic surgeons shared challenging cases to provide education on managing complications in practice, particularly in sports medicine surgeries like ACL reconstructions and shoulder instability repairs.<br /><br />Michelle Q. discussed the complexities of primary ACL reconstruction, emphasizing the importance of preoperative planning, familiarity with surgical tools and assistance, and how to manage intraoperative issues such as graft sizing, tunnel drilling, and fixation problems. She underscored the need for vigilance and adaptability during surgery as even routine cases can present unexpected difficulties.<br /><br />Matt Fury shared a case of postoperative infection after ACL reconstruction, highlighting the emotional and professional challenges of facing complications early in practice. He stressed the importance of promptly recognizing complications, communicating honestly with patients and families, and seeking support from colleagues and mentors to navigate tough clinical decisions.<br /><br />Brian Lau presented multiple cases of complications in shoulder instability surgeries, such as anchor failures, graft fractures, and postoperative nerve injuries. He advised surgeons to maintain composure, consider salvage options, involve specialists early, and always disclose complications transparently to patients to avoid distrust and legal issues.<br /><br />Beamer Carr shared a severe complication involving axillary artery injury during rotator cuff repair at an ambulatory surgery center, leading to permanent nerve damage and a lawsuit. He emphasized the necessity of knowing facility resources and contingency plans, thoroughly assessing intraoperative issues, being honest with patients, seeking peer support, and learning from adverse outcomes.<br /><br />Throughout the session, panelists stressed that complications are inevitable in surgery, but managing them with humility, communication, preparedness, and support networks is crucial for patient care and surgeon resilience. Openness about complications fosters a culture of learning and helps early career surgeons navigate difficult experiences while maintaining their professional integrity.

Keywords

Early Career Committee

orthopedic surgery

complications management

ACL reconstruction

shoulder instability surgery

intraoperative challenges

postoperative infection

patient communication

surgical education

professional resilience