Research on surgical treatment and outcomes. Covers fat-disorder surgery, survival after hip fracture, prostate-cancer care, and bariatric surgery.
Researchers found that wearing a mask can actually increase the inhalation of aerosols into the nose, making fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers more problematic. The study suggests that choosing a more effective mask and wearing it properly are crucial to curb COVID-19 transmission.
Researchers found that surgical and N95 masks can minimize negative effects on speech intelligibility, making them ideal options for instructors. By wearing these types of masks, educators can help students understand speech more effectively while ensuring their own safety.
Researchers at Fukuoka University found that face shields alone are not effective against COVID-19 sneezes. Vortex rings generated by sneezes can capture microscopic particles and transport them inside the shield through its top and bottom edges.
Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of fibryga, Octaplas, and Octaplex in treating congenital and acquired bleeding disorders. Fibryga demonstrated efficacy in on-demand treatment and perioperative prophylaxis for patients with rare congenital fibrinogen deficiency.
A UOC project has developed a 3D virtual environment to train surgeons' psychomotor skills, providing real-time feedback and metrics. The tool has been tested with over 148 users, showing its validity in improving surgeons' performance at different stages of their careers.
The PCR Valves e-Course will unite global experts in valvular heart disease for a 3-day digital initiative. Key findings include virtual LIVE demonstrations and classroom environment workshops offering simulation-based learning on cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology.
Researchers developed a technique to print full-size, realistic heart models using alginate material and MRI scans. These models can be handled outside of the gelatin bath, enabling surgeons to practice complex heart surgeries.
A new curriculum at Washington University School of Medicine equips surgical residents with technical and non-technical skills to treat victims of firearm violence. The Anatomy of Gun Violence (AGV) curriculum includes training sessions, simulations, and discussions on the social context of firearm violence.
A study by American College of Surgeons found that watch-and-wait strategy is an option for select patients with stages I to III rectal cancer. The approach, which skips operation, shows similar results in terms of local regrowth and disease-specific survival rates compared to surgical treatment.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that critically ill newborns who receive blood transfusions prior to surgery have a 50% increased rate of complications or death. The findings suggest that a 'wait and see' approach to giving infants blood during surgery may reduce surgical complications and the risk of death.
A new intraoperative imaging technique, Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI), can accurately assess surgical margins during radical prostatectomy by detecting prostate cancer tissue at the resection margin. CLI has shown high diagnostic accuracy in detecting tumor cells and positive surgical margins.
Spanish-speaking women are less likely to receive screening mammograms due to language barriers. Women with limited English proficiency had 27% lower rates of mammogram screenings, according to the study. This disparity affects approximately 450,000 eligible women in the US.
Researchers found that virtual follow-up visits for surgical patients spend the same amount of time with surgeons as in-person visits, discussing post-operative recovery. Patients value convenience and flexibility, with reduced wait times and increased satisfaction rates compared to traditional in-person visits.
Research shows that evidence-based guidelines have successfully reduced opioid prescriptions, but a small group of surgical patients may still need more pain control. The study suggests that these patients require a combination of opioids with non-opioid pain relievers to achieve optimal pain management.
A study using GIS found that public transportation burden disproportionately affects minority communities, increasing travel time by nearly double for those without access to a vehicle. This can lead to increased risk of emergent surgical interventions.
Two new studies demonstrate the lifesaving impact of STOP THE BLEED training in low-to-middle income countries. In Sierra Leone, nearly all patients survived life-threatening bleeding emergencies after receiving training, and participants retained knowledge for over a year. In Connecticut, course attendees showed strong proficiency in ...
Researchers developed AI models that accurately predict treatment needs and medical interventions for motor vehicle crash victims, and identified key factors that affect survival after liver transplantation. The models achieved high accuracy rates, outperforming human manual reviews in streamlining decision-making at the point of care.
The study found that non-physician team members, particularly Army reservists, spent more time treating patients in civilian centers than active duty members. The researchers highlighted the importance of integrating active duty FRST members into civilian trauma centers to provide optimal training and care before deployment.
A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that wearing face masks has minimal impact on gas exchange in healthy individuals and those with severe lung impairment. The researchers stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially for patients with lung disease.
Key findings from a comprehensive literature review highlight the importance of top-down commitment to quality, mid-level leadership, and committee structure in achieving high-quality surgical outcomes. The study supports the ACS Quality Verification Program's Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality framework.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that silk face masks are comfortable, breathable, and can help ward off airborne viruses like COVID-19. The fabric's natural copper content provides additional antimicrobial benefits, making it a promising alternative to traditional face coverings.
A study of over 1,600 obese women found no significant difference in infection rates between those treated with NPWT and standard wound dressing. Despite this, women in the negative pressure group experienced more skin irritations.
A new study at Yale New Haven Hospital found that a more aggressive selection process for donor hearts and transplant recipients can significantly shorten waiting periods for heart patients, from 242 days to 41 days. Patient survival rates remained nearly unchanged, with improvements in patient outcomes.
The virtual ACS Clinical Congress 2020 features hundreds of new research findings, contemporary topics in surgery, and a digital approach with live and on-demand sessions. Journalists can apply for press credentials to cover the event from remote locations.
Researchers found that face shields and masks with exhalation valves are less effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 than cloth or surgical masks. The study used visualizations to show how droplets can pass through the valve unfiltered, making these masks ineffective.
A new two-stage surgical protocol delays the induced menopause caused by ovary removal, providing some ovarian cancer risk reduction while avoiding detrimental consequences. The study found that 69% of premenopausal women at high risk of ovarian cancer were interested in this alternative option.
A new study found that women surgeons are underrepresented in academic surgery but hold a greater than anticipated proportion of NIH funding, earning 49 R01 grants. Women were also more likely to be first-time grant recipients and had fewer research articles published in scientific journals.
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 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 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 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.