['Surveillance strategies for of rectal cancer patients after potentially curative treatment vary significantly. We investigated whether the age of the surgeon affects choice of surveillance strategy.', 'We developed vignettes depicting 4 generally healthy patients with rectal cancer of various stages who received various treatments. A questionnaire based on these vignettes was sent to the 1795 members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS).', 'There was no significant relationship between surgeon age and follow-up test-ordering schedules for any of the 4 vignettes. There was no significant relationship between surgeon age and 10 of the 11 possible motivating factors.'] Are practice patterns in rectal cancer patient follow-up unaffected by surgeon age?