Research on surgical treatment and outcomes. Covers fat-disorder surgery, survival after hip fracture, prostate-cancer care, and bariatric surgery.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Temple University Health System standardized the definition of neighborhood mass shootings and found 46 incidents in Philadelphia from 2006-2015. The majority of victims were black males under 25, and most events received limited media coverage.
A new adhesive developed by MIT engineers can tightly bind tissues such as lungs and intestines within five seconds. The double-sided tape can also be used to attach implantable medical devices to tissues, offering a promising alternative to surgical sutures.
Patients treated for breast cancer at a safety net hospital achieved comparable five-year survival outcomes to national averages, despite having more advanced disease and socioeconomic challenges. A multidisciplinary clinic streamlines diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, resulting in high-quality clinical outcomes.
A study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found that shortening surgeon shifts from 24 hours to 12 hours resulted in shorter hospital stays and lower overall costs for patients with acute appendicitis. This change also led to faster patient access to the operating room and reduced infection rates.
A study of pediatric major trauma cases found that nearly 3% of U.S. children who survive major trauma experience another sudden injury in the same year, with violence being a significant risk factor. Repeated injuries are more common among children from lower-income families and those with mental health issues.
A machine-learned algorithm correctly triaged the vast majority of postoperative patients to the intensive care unit, achieving an 82% accuracy rate. The algorithm outperformed clinicians' judgment, with a significant reduction in over-triage rates and improved predictive rates.
A preliminary study found that most elderly patients with stage II and III colon cancer survive short-term surgery, but those with unplanned hospital admissions and open operations face higher mortality rates. Experienced surgeons who perform high-volume procedures also reduce the risk of death.
A pilot study found that medical scribes increased the number of patients seen per day from 10 to 16 and improved resident interactions. Resident involvement in patient visits rose to 45% with scribe assistance.
A new study uses smartphone accelerometer data to measure postoperative physical activity and its impact on recovery. The research team found that patients who experienced complications after surgery had significantly lower daily activity compared to those without complications.
A new study found that women surgical residents are more likely to experience mistreatment, including verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and pregnancy/childcare discrimination, leading to higher burnout rates. The study also revealed that 5.3% of women surgical residents had suicidal thoughts in the last year compared to 3.9% of men.
A Rutgers researcher found that people riding off-road vehicles on city streets suffer similar crash injuries as motorcyclists, with a lower mortality rate due to less frequent helmet use. The study compared 1,556 injured riders from 2005 to 2016 and found similar rates of traumatic brain injuries and levels of consciousness.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center conducted a large-scale study comparing surgical masks to N95 respirators for flu and respiratory virus protection. The results show that there is no significant difference in effectiveness between the two types of masks, with medical masks being as effective as N95 respirators.
A Michigan-wide effort to reduce opioid prescribing for common surgeries resulted in a nearly 30% decrease in prescription size, without affecting patient pain or satisfaction. The study's success suggests an opportunity for other states to build on Michigan's experience and further reductions in prescription size.
A new study published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology found that FDG-PET/CT imaging achieved true negatives in 94% of patients, suggesting its potential to assist clinicians in deciding on the best therapy for clinically N0 necks. This could lead to prevented patient morbidity and cost savings.
A new bariatric surgery protocol has been implemented to reduce postoperative hospital stays and readmissions. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, which includes early ambulation and liquid administration, as well as targeted pain management, has been shown to reduce hospital stays by half and readmissions by 38%.
A machine-learning model was developed to predict surgical-case duration, with accuracy improved from 30% to 40-50% in some cases. The study used data from over 45,000 surgeries performed by 92 surgeons, finding that the greatest variability in estimates came from individual surgeon approaches.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that around 6% of patients are affected by preventable harm, which accounts for significant financial costs and can lead to permanent disability or death. The study highlights the need for strategies targeting preventable patient harm to improve medical care and reduce healthcare costs.
A study used implicit and explicit bias measures to evaluate how healthcare professionals associate men and women with career and family. The research found that surgeons were more likely to perceive men as better suited for surgery and women for family medicine, leading to potential biases in patient care.
A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that hospital readmission rates for hip and knee replacement patients have slowed to nearly half their previous rate despite expanded penalties. The study suggests that the program may have hit its 'floor' and raises questions about the power of expanding it.
A QUT study found that sharing medical 'selfies' improves confidence and satisfaction among patients, while also enhancing the relationship between doctors and patients. Parents who took photos of their children's surgical wounds after laparoscopic appendectomy reported feeling reassured and valued by the service.
An observational study found that patients whose surgeons were more often reported for unprofessional behavior experienced a greater risk of postoperative complications. The analysis included data from over 13,000 patients and suggested a potential link between surgeon behavior and patient outcomes.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that patients of surgeons with reported unprofessional behavior are more likely to experience complications during or after operations. Surgeons with higher numbers of reports were associated with increased rates of wound infections and other adverse outcomes.
Researchers at Radboud University Medical Center found that septoplasty significantly improves patients' quality of life by increasing nasal airflow and reducing symptoms. After two years, the positive effects persisted, indicating a long-term benefit from the procedure.
A unique case of a chest cavity fire during emergency heart surgery was presented at the Euroanaesthesia Congress. The incident occurred when supplemental oxygen leaked from a ruptured lung, causing a spark from an electrocautery device to ignite a dry surgical pack.
The proceedings from the inaugural Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention identify a consensus-based approach to reduce injury, disability, and death from firearm violence. The article outlines a public health framework for addressing the crisis, including research, education, and targeted injury prevention initiatives.
The article focuses on supporting an aging workforce while ensuring patient safety during end-of-career transitions. It emphasizes the need to balance continuity of care with workforce sustainability.
The PARTNER 3 Low-Risk TAVR Trial found that TAVR significantly reduces the incidence of adverse events and re-hospitalizations compared to SAVR in low-risk surgical patients. After one year, these benefits were maintained, with improved ICU and hospital stay lengths.
Patients who undergo vascular surgery for major blood vessel injuries due to firearm wounds have the highest injury severity scores, leading to increased risk of death and complications. The study highlights the need for improved trauma care and long-term treatment strategies for gun violence survivors.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital demonstrate a robot that can autonomously navigate inside the body to reach a leaky heart valve. The robotic catheter uses AI and image processing to build a mental map of the cardiac anatomy, allowing it to find its way without surgeon guidance.
Researchers have discovered a unique subset of cells in the developing urethra that send important signals defining how the urethra is formed. This discovery aims to standardize the characterization of hypospadias and improve treatment outcomes for affected children.
A new research study by RCSI found that 15.8% of male medical students never felt intimidated during surgical placements, compared to 6.9% of female students. The study suggests that a lack of role models in surgery is a major deterrent for women in pursuing a career in surgery.
A study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that hospital deaths after surgery dropped by a third in Scotland following the introduction of surgical safety checklists. The decrease was observed only in patients undergoing operations, not those treated for medical conditions.
The Penn-developed tool uses big data to identify risk factors for incisional hernias, including history of abdominal surgery, smoking, and recent infection. The app combines this data to generate a real-time risk score, potentially helping surgeons make informed decisions about patient care.