Articles tagged with Surgery
A new study reveals that children with developmental and cognitive impairments are more likely to receive CT scans for appendicitis diagnosis, which increases radiation risk. These children also experience higher rates of postoperative emergency room visits and hospital readmissions compared to neurologically normal peers.
Researchers from NTU Singapore have invented a new type of surgical glue that can join blood vessels and close wounds faster, reducing surgery time by 25%. The glue, named CaproGlu, is activated by UV light and forms a strong bond with biocompatible material.
This observational study found that states participating in Medicaid expansion had higher rates of using common outpatient surgical procedures, including cataract surgery and hernia repair. The study suggests that increased access to healthcare may lead to more medical interventions.
A wide range of respirators and face masks were tested for filtration efficiency, including expired N95s and surgical masks with ties and ear loops. The study found significant variations in filtration performance among different types of masks.
A new study finds that gun violence has increased in the US, resulting in higher costs and severity of gunshot wounds. The study, which analyzed hospital data from 2005 to 2016, shows a significant increase in the cost of operations and length of hospital stays for patients with gunshot wounds.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that surgical delays for very early stage breast cancer patients did not impact overall survival. In fact, increased time to surgery was associated with a small increase in pathological upstaging, but no significant difference in survival rates.
A new study from the American College of Surgeons found that longer time to surgical treatment does not lower overall survival for women with early-stage breast cancer who underwent delayed operations before the pandemic. Patients who received neoadjuvant endocrine therapy also showed no decreased survival, according to the research.
A decade-long study finds that certain surgical specialties have significantly lower percentages of female resident physicians. The researchers identified these specialties and tracked changes in the number of women in each over time.
A study found that antibiotics alone can successfully treat children with uncomplicated appendicitis, resulting in fewer disability days at one year. Non-operative management was also associated with fewer disability days for caregivers and similar healthcare satisfaction rates as surgery.
A recent study suggests that home-made cloth face masks with at least two layers are more effective in reducing the dispersal of viral droplets from the nose and mouth associated with COVID-19. The researchers found that a double layer covering was better than a single layer in reducing droplet spread from coughing and sneezing.
Acute aortic syndrome is a life-threatening condition with a high risk of misdiagnosis. The new Canadian guideline provides recommendations for identifying patients at low, moderate, and high risk, as well as diagnostic strategies for each group.
Despite low representation in academia, female surgeon-scientists are securing a greater percentage of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. Women researchers are more likely to be first-time grant recipients and have higher success rates when awarded NIH funding.
A virtual reality simulator will be developed to improve hiatal hernia surgery training, reducing surgical errors and improving outcomes. The study aims to utilize the simulator to hone skills in a standardized environment.
Researchers found that patients who experienced delirium were more than twice as likely to show significant long-term cognitive decline. The study suggests that delirium may cause cognitive decline and is associated with increased mortality, hospital costs, and care duration.
A University of Cincinnati researcher found that autoclaving and alcohol treatment reduce the efficiency of face masks and N95 respirators, causing damage to filters. The study's findings suggest alternative methods, such as ultraviolet light, may be more effective for disinfection.
A recent study found that female faculty members scored slightly better than their male peers on teaching evaluations performed by surgeons-in-training. The results were unexpected, as previous studies had shown a negative bias against female faculty in academic medicine.
A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that surgical delays of 30-40 days are associated with shorter survival times in patients with colon cancer. For pancreatic and gastric cancers, the results indicate that longer surgical delays may increase cancer progression and worsen patient outcomes.
A large-scale analysis of mitral valve-in-valve (ViV) and valve-in-ring (ViR) found significant residual mitral stenosis and regurgitation in patients, leading to repeat valve replacements. The four-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 62.5% for ViV vs. 49.5% for ViR.
Researchers at MIT developed a double-sided adhesive that can quickly and firmly stick to wet surfaces like biological tissues. The new design allows for detachability without tissue damage by applying a liquid solution, making it easier for surgeons to close internal wounds.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new Practice Points on the effectiveness of masks for preventing COVID-19 disease. The guidelines emphasize the importance of N95 respirators in healthcare settings and recommend surgical masks for non-medical individuals to reduce transmission risk. ACP also emphasizes the need for c...
The region's successful response was attributed to six key factors: early communication and coordination, regional coordination and situational awareness, rapid testing development, proactive management of long-term care facilities, effective physical distancing in the community, and partnership with local organizations. This coordinat...
The study found that sterilization with hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide significantly reduces the filtration efficiency of N95, KN95, and surgical face masks. The researchers recommend re-sterilizing these masks after each use to maintain their effectiveness in preventing respiratory infections.
A new study finds that elastomeric masks can reduce the need for N95 masks by nearly 95% in healthcare settings. The reusable masks are found to be as effective as N95 masks in providing protection from airborne infectious substances.
From 2008-2018, diversity among U.S. surgical residency and fellowship applicants by sex and race/ethnicity has shown a significant increase, according to the JAMA Network study. The research indicates that improvements in access and representation in these programs have contributed to this trend.
A randomized clinical trial found that pro-male gender bias negatively affects women's surgical skills and career development in general surgery training programs. The study contributes to understanding the factors contributing to women's underrepresentation in surgery.
Researchers found critically ill COVID-19 patients with severe blood clotting who were at high risk of developing complications like renal failure, venous blood clots, and stroke. The study linked blood clotting measurements with patient outcomes, suggesting early testing may help identify and treat dangerous complications.
The Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) has demonstrated favorable outcomes for long-term function, safety, and efficacy in congenital patients. At 10-year follow-up, the study found high freedom rates from all-cause mortality, surgical reintervention, and catheter intervention.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has issued a position statement on the performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). The guidelines recommend diagnostic procedures, procedural standards, and operator standards for ASCs, emphasizing patient suitability ...
Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a massive fluid dynamics simulator to model blood flow through the full human arterial system, providing guidance for treatment plans. A new graphical user interface called Harvis allows clinicians to easily explore options without expertise in computer science.
A new toolkit has been developed to help medical organizations rapidly adopt telemedicine as an alternative option. The guide uses a common electronic medical record system and widely available video portals to overcome social distancing edicts, allowing for successful adoption in three days.
A study of nearly 7,000 resident surgeons found widespread racial/ethnic discrimination in US general surgery programs, linked to increased burnout and suicidal thoughts. The investigation aims to shed light on the prevalence and impact of these issues, highlighting the need for greater inclusivity and support.
A remote military surgical team transformed into a pandemic response team to provide care in an isolated population, adapting innovative solutions. Their recommendations emphasize the importance of evaluating everyone's skillsets and experience, including non-medical labor to provide medical interventions.
A rural health care system has developed a preparedness response plan that expands use of telehealth and streamlines systemwide staff communication. The plan includes a rapid expansion of telehealth, prioritizing nonessential staff work-from-home, conserving PPE, and postponing elective procedures.
Researchers found that both surgical and cotton masks failed to filter SARS-CoV-2 from coughs of patients with COVID-19. The study suggests that the use of face masks may not be effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
New Medicare rules lowered procedural volume requirements for hospitals offering TAVR, increasing access for people with aortic stenosis and low surgical risk. However, concerns exist about whether the increased access will be in areas where it is truly needed, particularly in rural regions.
A University of Maryland and Hong Kong University study suggests that wearing surgical masks in public may reduce the spread of diseases including influenza, rhinoviruses, and coronaviruses. The study found that masks significantly reduced airborne viruses from infected patients in laboratory experiments.
A critical care surgery team has developed a tiered approach to triage surgical cases and manage hospital resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan includes reassigning surgeons, deferring non-emergency operations, and considering 'battlefield promotion' for senior residents.
A BU MED student, Thomas Cheng, received a $3,000 award and two-year Journal of Vascular Surgery subscription for studying patient presentation and outcomes for dialysis in immigrant and refugee populations. The goal is to identify areas for improvement in this vulnerable population.
A new global guideline aims to reduce post-surgical deaths by improving practice in surgery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The guideline recommends nine essential steps to prevent Surgical Site Infections (SSIs), which can significantly improve patient outcomes.
A new pain management program implemented in a Texas healthcare system reduced longer-term opioid prescriptions by two-thirds, from over five days to fewer than five days. The program used physician education, monitoring, and incentives to shift prescribing patterns.
Researchers estimated significant water conservation and financial savings by switching from running water to an alcohol-based scrub for pre-surgery hand washing. The study suggests this change could lead to substantial reductions in water usage and associated costs.
A new study finds that common malnutrition definitions do not apply equally to all cancers, highlighting the need for cancer-type specific definitions for preoperative risk assessment. The study's findings suggest that using one-size-fits-all definitions could result in overestimating or underestimating a patient's risk of complication...
A study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that poor cleaning prior to sterilization using vaporized hydrogen peroxide can lead to failure rates of up to 76 percent. Effective cleaning and removal of visible soil and microbial contaminants are crucial for optimal sterilization.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg shows that bariatric surgery is as effective for individuals who developed obesity early in life as it is for those who developed it later. The study found no difference in weight loss or obesity-related complications between the two groups.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology designed a new master controller that combines two gripping types to reduce finger fatigue and improve precision in robotic surgery. The combined grip method yielded better performance in experiments, with fewer failures and faster movements.
A study using large health insurer claims data found that approximately 1 in 5 patients received surprise out-of-network bills after having in-network elective surgery. The average potential balance was $2,011, with anesthesiologists and surgical assistants being the most common providers involved.
A study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago defines the safest laparoscopic technique for removing ovaries in girls, resulting in better quality ovarian tissue for future transplantation. This technique minimizes damage and maximizes fertility preservation, increasing pregnancy rates after transplantation.
The technique reduces waiting time for compatibility testing, improving transplant surgery scheduling and alleviating patient stress. Virtual crossmatching resulted in a 2.4-hour decrease in cold ischemia time and a 26% decline in delayed graft function.
The survey found that UK doctors working in emergency medicine and general practice are most at risk of exhaustion, stress, and compassion fatigue. Doctors scored lower than average for resilience, with 31.5% experiencing high levels of burnout.
A long-term study found that bariatric surgery does not improve general mental health in adolescents despite substantial weight loss. Mental health problems persisted, and those who underwent surgery had more hospital-based care for mental health issues.
A prehabilitation program that encourages patients to move more, eat healthier, cut back on tobacco, breathe deeper, reduce stress, and focus on their goals after surgery has been shown to reduce hospital length of stay and total costs. The study involved hundreds of patients in 21 hospitals across Michigan and found that prehab patien...
Hemodialysis patients who used an online patient portal were more likely to receive a donor kidney transplant and reduce wait times compared to non-users. The study found that active users logged into the portal at least once every two months had shorter wait times for transplantation.
Research highlights occupational reproductive hazards for female surgeons in the operating room, affecting physical health and fertility. The study emphasizes the need to mitigate these risks through improved working conditions and safety measures.
A study published in JAMA found that only 4% of opioid-related overdose deaths are due to suicide, contradicting recent estimates. The research suggests that the primary focus should be on substance use rather than suicide for most individuals who overdose on opioids.
A peer support program for surgeons has been shown to improve well-being, enhance patient safety, and decrease burnout. The program provides a safe space for surgeons to share their experiences and receive emotional support from fellow surgeons who understand their challenges.
A new study found that older adults who participate in preoperative rehabilitation programs have shorter hospital stays and lower total insurance payments. The program, which includes physical exercise, healthy eating, and stress reduction techniques, was associated with improved outcomes for patients, providers, and payers.
Researchers found that a single infusion of ketamine combined with outpatient behavioral therapy helped individuals with alcohol use disorder abstain from drinking for several weeks. The study suggests that ketamine may improve motivation and reduce demoralization after a lapse, leading to better abstinence rates.
A new study found that people with opioid addiction face a high risk of overdose after ending treatment with buprenorphine, even when treated for 18 months. The longer patients continued with treatment, the lower their risk of other adverse outcomes.
A new study has confirmed a direct link between inbreeding and facial deformities in the Habsburg dynasty. The research found that the 'Habsburg jaw', a distinct chin characteristic, was more prevalent among family members with higher degrees of relatedness.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a battery-free device called Tip-Tap that allows users to navigate computers using only their fingertips. The device uses radio frequency identification tags and can be integrated into gloves or attached directly to the skin as a temporary tattoo.