Table 3.

Examples of surgical specialty procedures for rural surgeons in training.^*

Specialty area
OB/GYN	Caesarean section Ectopic pregnancy D&C Tubal ligation Hysterectomy Cystocele and rectocele repair Vaginal prolapse Birth canal trauma Complications of IUD's
Urology	Cystoscopy Placement of difficult catheters Suprapubic tubes Ureteral stenting Ureteral repair Testicular torsion Nephrostomy tube Nephrectomy Vasectomy
Gastroenterology	Upper and lower endoscopy Difficult polypectomy Bleeding control ERCP Esophageal and colonic stenting Foreign body retrieval
Orthopedics/hand surgery	Carpal tunnel Cubital tunnel Trigger finger Ganglion Hand trauma and infection Common dislocations and fractures
ENT	Foreign body retrieval Peritonsillar abscess Facial trauma Tonsillectomy
Plastic surgery	Common flaps Burns Complex lacerations Oncoplastic breast procedures
Interventional radiology	Ultrasound- and CT-guided biopsy and drainage of abscess Image-guided biopsy and wire placement for breast lesions
Thoracic surgery	Trauma VATS Flexible and rigid bronchoscopy Esophageal injury

CT, computed tomography; D&C, dilatation and curettage; ENT, ears, nose, throat; ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; GYN, gynecology; IUD, intrauterine device; OB, obstetrics; VATS, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

^⁎As determined by survey of practicing members of the American College of Surgeons Rural Advisory Council.