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Robotic surgery offers no clear benefit over conventional joint replacement surgery

Studies comparing robotic and conventional joint replacement surgeries found no differences in implant survival, revision risk, or surgical complications. However, robotic surgery was associated with a lower risk of hip revisions. Further research is needed to compare patient functional outcomes and evaluate the technology's effectiven...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2026

15 million Americans live in a county with no general surgeon

A new study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that 15 million Americans live in a county with no general surgeon, with 951 counties having no surgeon in any of 12 surgical specialties. The study provides an interactive data visualization tool for patients, clinicians, and policymakers to access county-level data.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateSep 28, 2026

E-scooter trauma admissions nearly double as youngest riders are hurt most severely

E-scooter trauma admissions increased 92% from 2021 to 2023, with young riders sustaining more severe injuries. Helmet use was documented in only 12% of cases, and nearly two-thirds of injured riders under 16 sustained major injuries. Researchers call for increased caution and awareness among e-scooter riders, particularly children.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 25, 2026

Prostate cancer surgery and radiation have different long-term effects on urinary, sexual, and survival outcomes

A national study of 20,000 men with prostate cancer found that surgery led to higher rates of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, while radiation was associated with urinary complications and higher all-cause mortality. Researchers emphasized that both treatments have long-term consequences and that risks and benefits should...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 25, 2026

NYU Langone welcomes top orthopedic surgeons to lead key treatment centers for hip and knee conditions

The institution has appointed three leaders in sports medicine to head key orthopedic centers, including the Center for Patellofemoral Disorders, Knee Preservation Center, and Hip Preservation and Hip Arthroscopy Center. Dr. Sabrina Strickland, Dr. Andreas Gomoll, and Dr. F. Winston Gwathmey will bring exceptional expertise in treating...

Global study finds delays in seeking care for appendicitis nearly doubles risk of perforation

A new global study found that delays in accessing surgical assessment for suspected appendicitis are associated with a significantly higher risk of life-threatening complications, including perforation. The study, led by University of Birmingham researchers, analysed data from over 45,000 patients across 112 countries, revealing major ...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 23, 2026

Injectable nanoparticles make blind retinas respond to light

A team of researchers has developed nanoparticles that can activate nerve cells in degenerated retinas, potentially leading to a new type of retinal prosthesis. The nanoparticles, made from graphitic carbon nitride, trigger electrical and chemical processes that activate nerve cells and prompt signals towards the brain.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateSep 22, 2026

Nationwide UK study shows patients taking Mounjaro/Wegovy/Ozempic and undergoing general anesthesia have stomach regurgitation rate 11 times higher than patients not taking these medications

Patients taking GLP-1 RAs under general anesthesia have an 11 times higher risk of stomach regurgitation, with a rate of 1 in 71, compared to 1 in 802 for those not taking the medications. The study found that 2.9% of patients received GLP-1 RAs before surgery, with 40% obtaining their prescriptions through online pharmacies.

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateSep 16, 2026

Reducing infections after heart surgery could save Medicare $441 million per year

A new study by Michigan Medicine found that heart surgery infection rates vary significantly across U.S. hospitals, with some experiencing nearly double the risk of others. By reducing infections, hospitals could prevent 2,600 infections and reduce Medicare spending by $441 million annually.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·TypeObservational study·DateSep 15, 2026

Joint Statement from the American College of Cardiology, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions on transcatheter aortic valve replacement national coverage determination

The American College of Cardiology, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions released a joint statement on TAVR national coverage determination. The statement aims to preserve the quality framework that contributed to TAVR's success, emphasizing the importance of collaborations, registrie...

Surgical treatment of fat distribution disorder is particularly effective

The LIPLEG study found that liposuction is significantly superior to conservative therapy in terms of key treatment outcomes, with 68.3% of patients experiencing clinically relevant pain reduction. The procedure also led to a marked improvement in quality of life, with patients reporting a reduction in pain and an increase in mobility.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 4, 2026

Mimicking natural connections could improve rotator cuff repair

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a novel scaffold system that recreates the natural transition from tendon to cartilage-like tissue to bone, promoting more organized formations of tendons, cartilage-like tissue, and bone at the repair site. This innovation aims to improve the quality and d...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2026

Robotic assisted knee replacement gives the same patient outcomes as a surgeon only procedure

The RACER-Knee trial found that robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery resulted in similar patient outcomes as traditional surgery, including recovery, mobility, and pain levels. Despite increased precision, the technology did not translate to improved patient outcomes within the first year after surgery.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 21, 2026

Thyroid lobectomy vs. total thyroidectomy in indeterminate molecular risk thyroid cancer: A randomized clinical trial

The study aimed to determine the proportion of eligible patients consenting to either thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy. It found that 93.5% of patients who would consent to randomization completed the assigned surgery. The results provide valuable insights for targeting enrollment in future multicenter trials.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateAug 20, 2026

Cold and room-temperature platelets in cardiac surgery

Researchers found that cold storage platelets (CSPs) can control active surgical bleeding as effectively as room temperature platelets (RTPs), with potential benefits including reduced wastage and increased platelet availability. CSPs may also enable platelet incorporation into inventory at locations with limited shelf life for RTPs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateAug 17, 2026

One step closer to efficient autonomous dental surgery

A new robotic system demonstrates superior accuracy and geometric fidelity compared to traditional methods, preserving more surrounding bone and reducing unnecessary removal. The technology has potential to make tooth autotransplantation more predictable and less dependent on operator experience.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2026

Sawai Man Singh Medical College and Hospital: Natural vs. synthetic grafts - which is the better choice for cranial duraplasty?

A comparative study examines autologous pericranium and G-Patch grafts in cranial duraplasty, finding fewer complications with natural grafts but no significant difference. The study highlights the need for larger multicenter studies to determine comparative effectiveness.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2026

Preoperative chemo-immunotherapy more effective than immunotherapy alone in patients with head and neck cancer

A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that preoperative chemo-immunotherapy was more effective than immunotherapy alone in reducing tumor size in patients with head and neck cancer. The study analyzed data from 86 adults with head and neck cancer treated between July 2024 and March 2026, and showed that pat...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateAug 13, 2026

Joint fusion surgery reduced walking pain in patients with foot arthritis compared with watchful waiting

A randomized controlled trial found that first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis significantly improves walking-related pain in patients with painful hallux rigidus. The study suggests arthrodesis as a preferred treatment option for some patients, providing a greater reduction in walking-related pain and secondary outcomes.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateAug 10, 2026

Early surgery for bacterial eye infection offers hope to patients

A study published in Communications Medicine found that early vitrectomy surgery can be more beneficial for patients' vision than the current antibiotic-first approach. After six months, patients who received this treatment showed a median improvement of 40 additional letters they could read compared to those receiving antibiotics.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 30, 2026

Custom blood vessel grafts made in minutes

Researchers have developed a way to quickly create customizable synthetic blood vessel grafts in just minutes using additive manufacturing. The new technique, called Focused Rotary Jet Spinning, allows for precise control over diameter and wall thickness, making it ideal for acute trauma situations and complex pediatric heart surgeries.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2026

New position statement calls for systematic bone health optimization before joint replacement and spinal fusion surgery

A new position statement calls for systematic bone health optimization before joint replacement and spinal fusion surgery. Key findings include the progressive mechanical failure of bone-implant constructs resulting from compromised bone quality, particularly due to osteoporosis.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 20, 2026

A Chinese neurosurgical journal’s study identifies a risk factor for post-surgical stroke in moyamoya disease

A Chinese neurosurgical journal's study found that severe stenosis of major intracranial arteries increases the risk of cerebral infarction after revascularization surgery in moyamoya disease. Severe blockage was associated with postoperative infarctions, highlighting the importance of monitoring and mitigating this risk factor.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 20, 2026

Louisiana study shows promising outcomes for bariatric surgery in adolescents and young adults with severe obesity

A new study from Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana demonstrates safe and effective bariatric surgery outcomes for young patients with severe obesity. The study found significant improvements in weight loss and obesity-related health conditions, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care models.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalObesity Surgery·DateJul 13, 2026

Scrubbing bubbles: Microparticles clean wounds, surgical instruments with tiny bubbles

Researchers developed microparticles that infiltrate stubborn bacterial matrices and release tiny oxygen bubbles to clean surfaces and wounds efficiently. The particles were shown to effectively clean surgical instruments and infected wounds, accelerating healing and reducing inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2026