This 13th edition of Self-Education, Self-Assessment in Thoracic Surgery (SESATS) continues the tradition of providing a completely online educational tool that is available on any internet-accessible device. SESATS XIII features multimedia elements to augment the 400 questions and critiques. It offers access to the PubMed full text of references, including real-time delivery of abstracts. This assembly of topical information offers students of thoracic and cardiac surgery a rich opportunity for study throughout the assessment, and it becomes a reference after completion. This platform opens the learning opportunity to a worldwide audience. As in the past, SESATS seeks to offer a balanced sampling of advancing knowledge in all areas of cardiac and thoracic surgery.
I would like to thank Dr. Stephen Yang (SESATS Editor-in-Chief, ABTS Director) and the ABTS Board of Directors who provided invaluable leadership and guidance on this project.
The ABTS would also like to acknowledge and thank the following SESATS XIII Section Editors, who spent a considerable amount of their own time preparing and reviewing the content in this version: Dr. Jennifer Romano (Congenital), Dr. John Mitchell (General Thoracic), Dr. Thoralf Sundt (Adult Cardiac), Dr. Christine Lau (Critical Care), and Dr. Anne Rizzo (Critical Care).
The Board is also indebted to the Sub-section Editors and the 100+ question writers who, without their commitment to thoracic and cardiac surgery education, SESATS XIII would not have been possible.
SESATS content remains integral to the evolution of Maintenance of Certification within our specialty. The examination format is intended to prompt thoughtful consideration of topics and to offer additional information and perspective in the critiques. The online reference links to PubMed material provide a genuine, evidence-based study opportunity. The newly designed search tool allows users to review items after completing SESATS and study questions answered incorrectly, adding enduring value to this edition as a review tool.
Lastly, I would like to personally thank the IT development team at RKO Technology Consulting, LLC (Rob Oberteuffer) and Echo360 (Torsten Koehler, Michael Sardone, and team). Patricia Watson and Aleisha Gardner at the American Board of Thoracic Surgery provided invaluable oversight, input, and editing. Patty Linton in the CME office of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center continues to manage CME-related inquiries. It has been my great good fortune to enjoy the help of these individuals.
David A. Fullerton, M.D.
American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Executive Director