1 6 9
M A Y 2 0 1 5 | O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T
• Porn. My wife accompanied me to Vegas. Sadly, I was more than
embarrassed when we would walk, arm in arm, down Las Vegas
Boulevard only to be approached by a random skin-show solicitor
wielding promo cards for the next performance. It was all I could do
to tear myself loose of these pathetic porn panhandlers and rejoin my
wife en route to a real talent demonstration, such as Boyz II Men.
• Mobs. The Las Vegas Strip was wall-to-wall people. I clutched my
wallet like it was my pacemaker. There were more beggars than
Times Square and I saw more tattoos than in a Navy shipyard. The
convention center was no better. Some of the talks had standing room
only. One lecture was so packed that I dozed off at 2 p.m. and didn't
hit the floor till 4!
• Party scene. Vegas is called Sin City for good reason. The opportuni-
ties to indulge are boundless, and many took full advantage of the
innumerable bars and cocktail receptions. The countenance of confer-
ence attendees in the morning said it all: Hangovers were more preva-
lent than on March 18.
• Recycled talks. I would like to say that the conference content was illu-
minating. Sadly, I seemed to hear the same old talks repackaged in dif-
ferent formats. The same subject matter seems to manifest every year.
If I hear one more talk on ACL reconstructions, I am going to boycott!
Not all bad
All in all, the convention was indeed memorable and there were many
positive aspects. I was able to rekindle friendships with former resi-
dents, fellows and colleagues. The average temperature was about 70
degrees, and I thoroughly relished morning and evening meals with my
wife of 27 years, Marie. And I did learn quite a few new things. OSM
Dr. Kelly (johndak4@gmail.com) is an orthopedic surgeon/
sports-shoulder specialist who practices in Philadelphia, Pa.
