Research on surgical treatment and outcomes. Covers fat-disorder surgery, survival after hip fracture, prostate-cancer care, and bariatric surgery.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Occupant Transportation Decision Algorithm (OTDA) helps emergency responders and hospitals evaluate a crash victim's need for trauma care by analyzing data from electronic data recorders on board vehicles. The algorithm can aid in triage, reducing overtriage and undertriage rates.
A long-term follow-up study found significant improvement in health-related quality of life after bariatric surgery for patients with BPD-DS. The study evaluated 27 patients who underwent the procedure and compared their outcomes to pre-surgery scores and those from the general population.
A study found that a quality improvement initiative by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services increased the removal of liver transplant candidates from the waiting list. The analysis of nationwide transplant data showed that over 4,300 Americans were delisted between 2007 and 2012 due to deteriorating illness.
A systematic overview of randomized controlled surgical studies found awareness for conflicts of interest has grown, but more work is needed to improve transparency. Many studies still fail to disclose potential conflicts of interest, raising concerns about the reliability of evidence-based medicine.
A new study found significant variability in surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use and appropriateness among children's hospitals, with a median rate of 64.6% for appropriate use across all procedures. The likelihood of Clostridium difficile infection and epinephrine administration was higher in patients receiving antibiotics
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers developed a biologically inspired artificial eye that can see in the dark using a lobster-inspired fish-eye design. The system improves image-taking through lenses rather than sensor components, resulting in fourfold sensitivity improvement.
A survey of program directors found that flexible work hour schedules improve the continuity of patient care without compromising patient safety. Directors also believed that flexible duty hours would positively affect patient safety, continuity of care, quality of resident education, and resident well-being.
A recent study found that patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the SAPIEN XT device had similar two-year clinical outcomes to those who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement. Additionally, TAVR was associated with reduced severe bleeding, length of stay...
The Sterile Box, a mobile container, sterilizes surgical instruments to minimize risk of infections in patients. The system's performance was nearly perfect in trials, and it addresses issues with unreliable power and inadequate quality control in developing countries.
The study analyzed 105,002 elderly patients' outcomes from 2000 to 2014, showing improved overall mortality rates and reduced length of hospital stay. However, factors such as age, pre-existing disease, and weekend operations increased in-hospital mortality
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center fellowship program successfully trains international surgeons to return home and perform cancer operations, addressing a significant gap in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital identified five research priorities to address health care disparities in surgical care. The top priorities include leveraging electronic health records, improving patient-provider communication, and evaluating regionalization of care.
Researchers from Kaiser Permanente found that flu vaccination during hospitalization does not increase the risk of emergency department visits or subsequent hospitalizations. Vaccinated patients also did not have an increased risk of fever or laboratory tests checking for infection.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that quitting smoking abruptly is more likely to lead to lasting abstinence compared to quitting gradually. The researchers found that patients who quit abruptly were 25% more likely to stop smoking in both the short and long term.
A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Dagmar Krüger has revealed that the human gut's secretory capacity does not decline with age, contradicting long-held assumptions. The research team examined over 2200 specimens from 450 patients with bowel disease and found no correlation between intestinal secretion and age or gender.
Innovative chemotherapy delivery methods for brain tumors are explored, including intra-arterial delivery, osmotic disruption, and implantable polymers. These strategies aim to enhance therapeutic agent distribution in the CNS, raising interest in the oncology community.
Researchers developed a statistical model to predict in-hospital mortality after TAVR based on over 13,000 patients. The model includes factors like age, glomerular filtration rate, and hemodialysis, providing valuable information for patient counseling and quality improvement.
Researchers at Brigham Young University have developed origami-inspired engineering techniques to create ultra-small surgical instruments, allowing for minimally invasive procedures. The technology aims to reduce the size of incisions necessary for surgery, potentially enabling self-healing wounds without sutures.
The study found that trauma surgeons working with geriatricians improved multidisciplinary care for elderly accident victims, leading to reduced short-term mortality rates and ICU readmissions. The program increased referrals for cognitive evaluation and advanced directives, demonstrating the benefits of comprehensive clinical pathways.