The modern-day general and colorectal surgeon is confronted with a myriad of new products, therapies, and surgical devices almost daily. Given the constraints and demands of today's surgical practice, it is difficult to process all this information with meaning. Many products lead to improved patient outcomes while others make no difference. One common thread among most new products in surgery is cost! As advocates for our patients, we must critically evaluate new devices and therapies based on theory, available literature, efficacy, safety, and cost.
It is my hope that this issue will assist the reader in making these decisions as they relate to the use of biologic and synthetic products available to improve outcomes in colorectal surgery. Each topic is addressed in an unbiased manner and all the expert authors have provided a critical review of the literature and available options. I would like to thank each author for taking time from their busy surgical practices to provide us with truly outstanding material.
We must utilize this information to provide better care for our patients while remaining good stewards of our limited hospital resources. Biomaterials are marketed aggressively and in many respects lack high-quality data to support and defend their use. In areas where we lack data, the authors have provided expert opinion to assist and guide the reader.