The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 195, Issue 5 , Pages 557-564 , May 2008

Achieving balance in a surgical life: A personal perspective on a Sisyphean task

  • William J. Orrom, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1-250-598-0798; fax: +1-250-598-0799.

Received 13 November 2007 ,Accepted 30 December 2007.

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PII: S0002-9610(08)00094-9

doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.12.030

The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 195, Issue 5 , Pages 557-564 , May 2008