Articles tagged with Surgery
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A systematic review found that both endovascular (EVAR) and open surgical (OSR) repairs for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can lead to renal function impairment. The study included six studies with over 2,100 patients, revealing similar risks of renal decline in EVAR and OSR groups.
Surgical site infections affect up to 300,000 patients annually, with an estimated annual cost of $3.5 billion to $10 billion. The new guidelines recommend measures such as quitting smoking, controlling blood sugar, and using antibiotic sutures to reduce the risk of SSIs.
A new study from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center found that advances in imaging technology have led to a six-fold increase in the diagnosis of blunt cerebrovascular injuries in trauma patients. This has resulted in a significant decline in stroke and related death rates over the past 30 years.
A study found that AYA patients with small intestine GISTs had improved survival rates compared to older adult patients with stomach GISTs. Surgical management was also associated with improved survival in AYA patients, even those with metastatic cancer.
A University of Alberta researcher has developed a method to treat surgical masks, making them effective against airborne viruses. By using a salt-based treatment, the mask's fibre filter can trap and kill viruses, reducing the risk of transmission.
A Mayo Clinic study found significant discrepancies in reporting postoperative infection complications between hospital-based administrative data and clinical registry data. The analysis of four common complications revealed that the two approaches yielded vastly different assessments, with rates varying up to fivefold.
Using cardiac imaging during heart surgery can detect serious residual holes in the heart that may occur when surgeons repair a child's heart defect. Pediatric experts say this tool, called transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), improves outcomes for children with congenital heart disease.
A recent study published in BMJ Global Health reveals that children from low-income countries are at a significantly higher risk of dying after emergency abdominal surgery. The likelihood of dying is up to 7 times greater than for children from rich nations.
The new guidelines aim to reduce SSI risk through patient education, lifestyle changes, and improved hospital management. Target blood glucose levels are set at 110-150 mg/dL for all patients before surgery, while smoking cessation and weight loss are encouraged.
The use of frailty screening initiatives before surgery has been shown to reduce the risk of death among elderly patients. The study found that mortality rates decreased by 70% and 19% at 30 and 180 days, respectively, after implementation of the initiative.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed an optical fiber probe that can distinguish breast cancer tissue from normal tissue. This technology has the potential to reduce unnecessary follow-up surgery for 15-20% of patients.
Residents selectively extend work shifts to facilitate care transitions, stabilize critically ill patients, and perform routine responsibilities. However, senior residents reported more frequent duty hour violations, with junior residents having the highest rate of frequent violations.
A national survey of US general surgery residents found that 86% preferred flexible duty hour policies over standard schedules, with a stronger preference among senior residents. The study also showed that flexible hours improved patient safety and continuity of care, and reduced resident dissatisfaction.
A new study has found that ventilator-associated pneumonia rates have been stable and substantial since 2005, with approximately 10% of critically ill patients developing the condition. The study's findings contradict previous data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlighting a need for further research into preven...
Trauma patients who receive intensive physical, occupational, and cognitive therapy at acute care inpatient rehabilitation facilities are more likely to go home and survive a year after discharge. The study found that these patients experienced significant improvements in functional outcome and had a lower risk of death after a year.
A study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that robotic surgical instruments are difficult to clean completely, with a protein residue remaining despite multiple cleanings. The researchers suggest establishing new standards for cleaning these instruments using repeated measurements of residual protein.
Michigan Medicine launches initiative to help doctors and hospitals across the state care for surgical pain without setting up chronic opioid use or addiction. The network will collect data on opioid prescribing patterns to combat the epidemic.
For patients with suspicious papillary thyroid cancer, lobectomy is associated with better outcomes and lower costs compared to total thyroidectomy. The study used a Markov model to determine the effectiveness of each procedure in terms of quality-adjusted life years.
Studies show that websites for pancreatic cancer treatment differ in their presentation of information. Researchers found that non-profit organizations' websites were more easily understood and recommended by patients. The study suggests that website usability and visuals play a significant role in patient recommendations.
A study using wearable activity trackers found that monitoring patients' postoperative functional recovery correlates strongly with reported complications, showing a median of 1,247 steps on day seven compared to preoperative daily steps.
A nationwide study found that infants from families with no health insurance or low income have a higher risk of death from sepsis. Those with severe illness and low birth weight were at the highest risk, with odds ratios as high as 36.1 and 4.8, respectively.
Trauma centers treating high proportions of uninsured patients would see significant gains in financial margins from Medicaid expansion, according to a nationwide study. The simulation model found nearly three times as many patients would gain health insurance through Medicaid in expansion states than non-expansion states.
A study of 3,242 patients found that mesh use during incisional hernia repair reduced hernia recurrence risk over 5 years. However, the long-term benefits were partially offset by mesh-related complications. The study highlights the need for more research on the safety and efficacy of mesh in hernia repair.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found significant variation in Medicare expenditures for treating surgical complications across hospitals. High-cost hospitals charged 2- to 3-fold more than low-cost ones, despite similar rates of failure to rescue and overall mortality.
A new method of evaluation, using the cephalic width-intercoronal distance ratio, has been recommended to help determine when surgical intervention is needed for infants with fused cranial sutures. This measurement indicates a potential need for surgery in cases where the front and back of the skull are not proportionate.
A study published in JAMA compared five-year survival rates after endosonography and mediastinoscopy for mediastinal nodal staging of lung cancer. The endosonographic strategy was found to be more sensitive for diagnosing mediastinal nodal metastases.
Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement are at increased risk of developing infective endocarditis, with younger age, male sex, and diabetes mellitus being significant risk factors. The study found a high rate of in-hospital mortality and 2-year mortality rates, highlighting the need for preventive measures.
A novel TAVI device has been developed to replace heart valves in patients with rheumatic heart disease, offering a simplified approach that does not require advanced cardiac surgical facilities or sophisticated cardiovascular imaging. The procedure can be performed without rapid ventricular pacing, making it more tolerable for patients.
A new study found that epilepsy surgery significantly improves seizure-free rates for patients, with 69% achieving complete freedom from seizures within a year. The procedure also proves cost-effective, with reduced antiepileptic drug use and lower direct costs over time.
A team at Rice University is creating a haptic cueing system that provides real-time vibration feedback to medical students during endovascular surgeries. The system aims to improve the smoothness of tool movements, reducing errors and improving training efficiency.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus develop synthetic heart valves made of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel, reducing the need for animal tissues in bypass surgery. The new material allows surgeons to practice techniques in a more realistic and safe environment.
A new study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery suggests that patients with isolated moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation may benefit from surgical repair at an earlier stage than previously thought. The research, led by UAB/VA investigators, found severe underlying cardiac muscle damage in asymptom...
A survey of US physicians reveals they frequently discuss e-cigs with patients, recommending e-cigs as a way to reduce smoking, but cautioning against using them to quit. However, the study found that many doctors are uncertain about their knowledge of e-cigs and are often asked by patients about their use.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine developed a new care plan for managing septic perianal Crohn's disease, which combines medical and surgical treatments. The plan resulted in a 60% healing rate among patients, with half requiring permanent ostomy bags while the other half saw some improvement but did not heal completely.
The use of electric power morcellation for hysterectomy declined significantly following the FDA's safety communication in April 2014. The prevalence of abnormal pathology remained unchanged despite the decline in morcellation use, highlighting the need for continued caution in patient selection.
Researchers found that cloth masks are only marginally beneficial in protecting people from particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, and remove only 39-65% of standard particles. The most commonly used cloth mask products perform poorly compared to alternative options.
A new study assessed the 'weekend effect' in emergency general surgery patients, revealing a significant reduction in mortality rates from 5.4% to less than 2.9% over 15 years. The study found great improvements in outcomes overall and notable differences in care provided within the week and at the weekend.
Researchers at MUSC aim to develop novel treatment options for thoracic aortic aneurysms by studying the cellular events leading to their formation. The $1.46 million NIH grant will focus on translating discoveries into potential therapeutics, including region-specific gene therapy and targeted pharmacologic treatments.
A new analysis of hospital data reveals 17 patient characteristics associated with developing postoperative pneumonia after cardiac surgery, including age, race, smoking habits, and white blood cell count. The study identifies proactive measures that can help patients reduce their risk of pneumonia through prehabilitation.
Researchers found that each 1% decrease in trauma center volume is linked to a two-fold worsening in patient survival odds. The study suggests that unnecessary trauma centers can have a significant negative impact on patient outcomes.
Surgeons who avoid discussing preventability of adverse events or have difficult communication experiences are more negatively affected by disclosure. Surgeons with more negative attitudes about disclosure at baseline reported more anxiety about patients' surgical outcomes after disclosure.
A review article compares over-the-counter mechanical nasal dilators for their ability to dilate the internal nasal valve and improve airflow. The study found that external nasal dilator strips and nasal clips effectively relieve obstruction of the internal nasal valve.
A study found that 34% of hospitals in low- and middle-income countries lacked continuous running water, compromising patient care. Hospitals without running water often rely on trucked-in or rainwater, which can be contaminated and unsanitary.
A study found that surgeons who admit to bias towards their specialty increase patient trust and lead to more surgical treatments. Patients who hear this admission are nearly three times more likely to choose surgery, indicating a significant influence on patient decision-making.
Dr. Frank G. Moody, a pioneer in weight loss surgery, has been honored by the American Surgical Association for his contributions to advancing surgical care. He was recognized for his work in promoting weight loss surgery and his leadership in developing comprehensive bariatric programs.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered that a narrow wavelength of ultraviolet (UV) light, known as far-UVC, safely kills drug-resistant MRSA bacteria. This finding offers a potential solution to reducing surgical site infections, a major public health concern.
A study of nearly 49,000 obese patients found that bariatric surgery significantly lowers mortality rates, with a 57% reduction in all-cause deaths compared to non-surgical patients. Cardiovascular disease and cancer were the leading causes of death in both groups.
A survey of 255 dermatology patients found that professional attire, including white coats, was the most preferred, with 73% of responses. Surgical attire was preferred in only 19% of responses, suggesting a possible link between physician appearance and patient perceptions.
A new study found that readmission rates after complex cancer operations are higher in hospitals serving vulnerable populations, such as those with high Medicaid patients or serving as safety nets. The study suggests that payment penalties tied to readmissions may create unintended consequences on financially strained institutions.
Researchers found that nearly half of women over 75 with stage III/IV cancer do not have surgery, while black and American Indian women are 35% less likely to receive surgery than white women. Surgical treatment is associated with a fourfold increase in survival for patients.
A new study at a UK hospital found that refusing access to the recovery room unless the full WHO Safe Surgery Checklist is complete improves its use. The checklist has been proven to improve safety standards and reduce surgical complications.
A free colonoscopy program for uninsured patients has been shown to detect cancer at an earlier stage and appears to be cost-neutral. The program, which was expanded to all hospitals in Louisville, is being hailed as a model for statewide implementation in Kentucky.
A recent Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to conclude that dressings reduce surgical site infection. However, dressings may provide a barrier to direct injury and reduce patient anxiety. The authors recommend using basic, low-absorbency dressings at a cost of a few pence per dressing.
Researchers found that surgeons differ in recommending surgery based on how they perceive risks and benefits, rather than just the patient's diagnosis. A surgical risk calculator can lead to more accurate predictions, but does not change a surgeon's likelihood of recommending an operation.
A recent study found that 92.2% of physicians believe doctors should control costs, but only 36.9% have a clear understanding of test and procedure costs. Primary care physicians reported greater awareness of the Choosing Wisely campaign, which aims to identify low-value services.
Researchers warn of a looming crisis in cardiothoracic surgical services as the number of trained professionals dwindles and demand increases, particularly among an aging population. By 2030, there will be approximately 3,000 cardiothoracic surgeons needed to cover 854,000 cases, with each surgeon's workload projected to increase by 121%.
Analysis of NCDB data shows that patients who received four quality measures had significantly higher overall median survival, increasing more than three-fold. However, compliance with these measures varies widely among patients, with only 13% receiving all four interventions.
The EDWARDS INTUITY valve system has been shown to reduce the duration of interrupted blood flow and heart stoppage during surgery, resulting in improved cardiac function. Patients who underwent rapid deployment aortic valve replacement had high one-year survival rates and clinically acceptable postoperative complication rates.
A new study published in Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques shows that robotic video-assisted lung resection achieves comparable outcomes to conventional VATS and preserves more healthy lung tissue. The robotic approach allows for fewer conversions to open thoracotomy and more lymph nodes retrieved for testing.
Researchers identified predictors of postoperative complications after partial nephrectomy and found a significant reduction in perioperative blood transfusions with the use of tranexamic acid. Additionally, men who underwent primary artificial urinary sphincter implantation for stress incontinence had improved long-term outcomes.