The complexity of decision making in medicine, and in surgery in particular, is growing exponentially. As new technology is introduced, physicians from nonsurgical specialties offer alternative and competing therapies for what was once the exclusive province of the surgeon. In addition, there is increasing knowledge regarding the efficacy of traditional surgical therapies. How to select among these varied and complex approaches is becoming increasingly difficult. The first two editions of “Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery: An Evidence Based Approach” have found wide acceptance among practicing surgeons, trainees, and educators. Chapters from them are regularly cited by the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association as valuable resources for their weekly curriculum exercises. Downloads of individual chapters have been very popular. The 3rd edition is in production. Based on this success, this book is part of a series of such books covering other surgical specialties. The volumes will be multi-authored, containing brief chapters, each of which will be devoted to one or two specific questions or decisions within that specialty that are difficult or controversial. The volumes are intended as a current and timely reference source for practicing surgeons, surgeons in training, and educators that describe the recommended ideal approach, rather than customary care, in selected clinical situations.