Table 2.

Standardized clinical vignette used in surgeon interviews

This is a 45 year old female who presents to the Emergency Department with 24 hours of abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting. She has a past history of laparoscopic hysterectomy for fibroids but no history of cancer, radiation, or inflammatory bowel disease. Her clinical exam is consistent with a small bowel obstruction without peritonitis. Her vital signs are normal. A CT scan reveals a complete Small Bowel Obstruction with a transition point in the right lower quadrant. There is no evidence of hernia, mass, free fluid, or any signs of ischemia or perforation. Labs show a normal WBC, lactate, and a mild metabolic alkalosis.