Research on surgical treatment and outcomes. Covers fat-disorder surgery, survival after hip fracture, prostate-cancer care, and bariatric surgery.
Researchers found that charges are inflated by a factor of three to one, disproportionately affecting the underinsured and uninsured. The study suggests targeting office-based events and procedures rather than operating room interventions for improved value within surgical care.
Gynaecologists propose permitting small surgical 'nicks' or minimalist procedures that change the appearance of young women's external genitalia without harming them. This compromise approach aims to uphold cultural traditions while safeguarding girls' and women's health and wellbeing. However, some experts disagree, arguing that such ...
A new Cochrane systematic review provides comprehensive insights into the surgical treatment of vaginal prolapse, comparing tissue repair with artificial mesh. The study found that while mesh reduces awareness of prolapse, its overall benefit is small and comes with increased risks, including reoperation and bladder injury.
A new landmark national study by Northwestern Medicine found that allowing surgical residents to work longer hours without compromising patient safety improved patient care and resident training. The FIRST trial investigated 4,330 residents and 138,691 patients, with similar rates of complications in both groups.
A national multicenter randomized trial found that extending surgical trainees' shifts does not compromise patient safety. The study showed flexible duty hour policies reduced handoffs and increased residents' satisfaction with their training. The findings provide high-level evidence to inform resident duty hour policies.
A study by Yale University researchers found that very few women undergo bilateral salpingectomy with ovarian conservation during hysterectomies for non-cancerous conditions. The procedure may help protect against ovarian cancer and preserve hormonal levels, but its use varies widely among hospitals across the US.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of women aged 70 and older with stage I breast cancer who are eligible to safely omit subsequent radiation therapy do not receive it. Despite guidelines recommending against radiation therapy for this group, the study suggests a lack of compliance or poor awareness among healthcare providers.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that the use of biological mesh materials for abdominal wall hernia repair does not demonstrate added clinical benefits over synthetic mesh. The authors reviewed 20 studies and concluded that the expense associated with these devices cannot be justified without clear evidence of superiority.
A recent review of 13 studies on weight-loss surgery found that being married might actually work against patients' chances of losing weight and keeping it off. The Ohio State University researchers discovered evidence that the impact of surgery extends to romantic relationships and family, potentially worsening marital dynamics.
A population-based study found that preoperative frailty is strongly associated with an increased risk of death following surgery, particularly in younger patients and after joint replacement. Frail patients are at a higher risk of mortality, especially in the early postoperative period.
Researchers found that a 56-day interval after chemoradiotherapy is the best timeframe for overall survival and tumor downstaging. The study analyzed data from nearly 12,000 patients with advanced stage localized rectal cancer.
A new study reveals that surgical treatment can effectively restore penile length and improve erectile dysfunction in patients with Peyronie's disease. The 'sliding technique' and penile prosthesis implantation showed promising results, with an average lengthening of 3.2 cm.
A new collaborative best practices guideline has been released for optimal care of older adults before, during, and after surgical operations. The guideline provides expert recommendations for surgeons, anesthesiologists, and allied health care professionals to address postoperative complications and prolonged recovery in older patients.
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that surgical castration was associated with lower risks of fractures, peripheral artery disease, and cardiac complications compared to medical castration. However, no significant difference was observed between the two treatments for diabetes and cognitive disorders.
A systematic review study suggests that nonoperative treatment of appendicitis is probably safe for adults but raises concerns about long-term outcomes. The study found that antibiotics-first treatment was successful in 3 out of 4 patients, but questions remain about quality of life, residual symptoms, and financial considerations.
A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital found that antibiotics alone can be a safe and effective treatment for children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. The non-operative management was associated with less recovery time, lower health costs, and no difference in complications at one year.
A Journal of the American College of Surgeons study reveals that a hospital's safety culture plays a significant role in delivering high-quality patient care. The study found that 10 out of 12 safety culture factors influenced surgical site infection rates after colon operations.
A study published in Health Affairs found that the most crowded US hospital emergency departments did not adopt effective interventions to improve flow, leading to worse patient care and outcomes. Despite increased adoption of strategies to reduce crowding over four years, many hospitals still failed to implement proven interventions.
A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that faces transplanted change their appearance due to changes in the bone structure of the recipient, and seem to age at an accelerated rate. The research suggests the need for effective countermeasures to prevent muscle and bone atrophy in face transplant recipients.
A combination of detailed CT imaging and 3-D printing technology has been used to plan the surgical separation of conjoined twins. The 3-D models were designed so that they could be assembled together or separated during the surgical planning process, with a high level of concordance between the models and the twins' actual anatomy.
Research shows that higher C-section rates up to 19% can lead to lower maternal and neonatal mortality rates, while rates above 19% show no further improvement. This study suggests re-examining policy benchmarks for C-section rates on a country-wide level.
A new study found that as country-level C-section rates increase up to 19%, maternal and neonatal mortality rates decline, while rates above 19% show no further improvement. The World Health Organization's recommended rate of 10-15% may be too low.
A comprehensive study led by MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers found complete surgical excision of the implant and surrounding capsule to be the most effective treatment approach for BI-ALCL, with significant improvements in event-free survival and overall survival compared to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
On November 13, 2015, a coordinated attack in Paris overwhelmed medical staff. Doctors from Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) describe the heroic response of their colleagues, praising teamwork and solidarity in treating over 300 wounded patients.
A new study found that damage control resuscitation (DCR) practices originating in military settings have been widely adapted in civilian trauma care. The majority of responding Trauma Medical Directors reported routine use of a 1:1:1 blood product ratio, which increases patient survival rates.
A newly designed vital sign monitoring system reduces unnecessary alarms and increases patient safety in medical units. The system provides continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate, with 92% of nurses agreeing it is suitable.
A team of researchers at Rice University and the University of Pennsylvania created an implant with a network of blood vessels using 3D printing. The study shows that blood flowed normally through test constructs connected to native blood vessels, overcoming a major challenge in regenerative medicine.
A new peptide-based hydrogel has been developed by University of Delaware researchers to facilitate microsurgery. The hydrogel can be tuned with a specific amino acid to change form several times during a procedure, allowing precise control and reducing damage to tiny blood vessels.
A new study found that patients' recollections of their last colonoscopy are variable, with many unable to recall key details such as the date of their procedure or the presence and number of polyps. The study suggests that doctors can contribute to these issues by not repeating crucial information to patients.
A new study shows that surgical removal of abdominal metastases can significantly improve overall survival for patients with stage IV melanoma. In this comprehensive study of over 1,600 patients, surgeons found that surgical resection provided a median survival time of 18 months compared to seven months for nonsurgical patients.
A recent study by the American College of Surgeons found that helmeted bicycle riders are 58% less likely to suffer severe traumatic brain injuries after a crash. The study analyzed data from over 6,200 patients and showed that helmets significantly reduce the risk of head bleeds, facial fractures, and even death.
Researchers found that patients who underwent surgery for abdominal metastases lived nearly 2.5 times longer than those treated with drug therapy alone, with an average survival of 18 months compared to seven months. Surgical resection may even offer a cure in certain patients, especially when combined with immunotherapy.
Researchers have discovered four unique metabolites in urine samples that can accurately distinguish between malignant and benign adrenal tumors. These biomarkers show high sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (82.6%) for diagnosing cancer, potentially improving treatment decisions for patients with adrenal incidentalomas.
A new simulation training program cuts precious minutes off trauma patients' evaluation times, getting them to medical imaging tests faster. The program involves former trauma patients and families in providing feedback to caregivers.
A study found that telehealth visits, whether by telephone or video, can identify veterans requiring in-person assessment or further care. The majority of veterans preferred telehealth visits due to increased convenience and shorter travel distances.
A new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that 76% of patients accepted online postoperative care as the only form of follow-up, while 68% reported equal effectiveness between online and in-person visits. The researchers believe designing tools for online care is key to determining when in-person care is needed.
Researchers at MIT and Boston Children's Hospital have developed a system that can take MRI scans of a patient's heart and convert them into a tangible, physical model. The models provide a more intuitive way for surgeons to assess individual patients' anatomical idiosyncrasies, improving surgical planning.
Research at Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust found a 90% medical bed occupancy target reduced hospital death rates by 4.5-4.8% and improved the national 4-hour A&E waiting target performance from 33% to 51.4%.
A new study published in the Lancet found that metabolic or bariatric surgery was more effective than standard medical treatment for the long-term control of type 2 diabetes in obese patients. Surgery resulted in better glycemic control, lower levels of blood glucose, and reduced need for anti-diabetic medication.
Research suggests that playing music in operating theaters can increase tensions due to ineffective communication and may impact patient safety. The study of 20 operations in the UK found repeated requests were 5 times more likely with music present than without.
Researchers from ITMO University created a vascular graft coating that prevents clot formation, ensuring unobstructed blood flow. The coating, which can be applied to any type of implant, uses a porous shell to release medication and prevent the growth of crystals or other unwanted substances.
A quality improvement initiative at Texas Children's Hospital has led to a significant reduction in median waitlist times for pediatric heart transplant patients. The hospital revised its protocols to expand donor heart size parameters and improve patient severity status, resulting in faster organ allocation.
Korean scientists developed a light-activated, mussel protein-based bioadhesive that closes wounds quickly and heals without inflammation or scars. Animal studies proved its superiority to existing options, making it an ideal tissue bonding material for various medical applications.
Research shows older patients with spinal cord injuries have more severe lag times between injury and surgery, with a significant delay in treating those over 70 years old compared to younger patients. This can lead to less severe injuries and better outcomes for these patients.
Researchers suggest that level I trauma centers can provide training opportunities for military surgeons to maintain their skills. The study found that level I trauma centers closely resemble military Role 3 facilities in terms of case density and work schedules, making them ideal for sustaining combat surgical skills.
A new scoring system called Trauma Surge Index (TSI) can identify periods of high activity and increased trauma patient deaths in hospital emergency rooms. The TSI ranks surge activity on a scale from 0 to 8 and is unique for each hospital, accounting for severity of injuries and time of admission.
Researchers examined nationwide trends in erectile dysfunction and surgical management from 2001 to 2010. The study found that while erectile dysfunction prevalence increased, penile prosthesis use decreased, but was more common in sicker patients.
A new mass spectrometry-based technology enables rapid analysis of tissue samples, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional methods. The automated droplet-based surface sampling probe reduces testing time for cancer diagnosis from 20-30 minutes to just 4-5 minutes.
A study comparing antibiotics vs. appendectomy found that antibiotic treatment was not more effective than surgery in treating uncomplicated appendicitis. However, most patients who received antibiotics did not require an appendectomy, and those who did did not experience significant complications.
A recent UAlberta study reveals nearly half of severely obese patients require ICU admission and one in five do not survive after emergency surgery. The researchers attribute these findings to underlying health conditions, malnutrition, and impaired healing due to obesity.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital suggests that breast surgery for low-grade DCIS does not significantly change patient survival rates. For high- and intermediate-grade DCIS, however, surgery improves survival rates compared to non-surgery groups.
Researchers at UCLA successfully tested a portable finger-probe device on 53 potential organ donors, predicting which livers would function properly after transplantation. The device could increase the number of organs used for transplant and save patients waiting for transplants from dying.
A new plasma protocol effectively treats trauma patients quicker in ERs by delivering thawed plasma within 10 minutes of arrival. This approach improves outcomes for victims with massive bleeding and reduces wastage of frozen plasma.
A new study found that liver transplant centers in highly competitive geographic areas performed more transplants than those in less competitive areas. The researchers used data from 53,156 adult liver transplantation operations performed between 2003 and 2012.
A robotic arm inspired by an octopus's flexible arms can bend, stretch and squeeze through cluttered environments, enabling surgeons to access remote areas of the body. The device manipulates soft organs without damaging them, reducing the need for multiple instruments.
Researchers identify Enterococcus faecalis as primary microbial culprit behind post-surgical colon leaks. The bacteria degrades intestinal connective tissues and activates enzymes that cause small holes in the intestine during healing, leading to leaks. Identifying E. faecalis could lead to more effective ways to reduce leak rates.
A study found that wound healing and lower plasma viral loads are associated with less HIV shedding from male circumcision wounds. The likelihood of viral shedding increases initially but decreases as wounds heal.
The BMC protocol provides a set of predetermined guidelines for processing and preserving forensic evidence in surgical specimens after a terrorist attack. Key findings include the importance of identifying a team to handle all surgical specimens, obtaining labeled photographs and x-rays, and storing forensic evidence securely.
Most breast and general surgeons still advocate for annual mammography starting at age 40, despite a 2009 USPSTF recommendation to screen biennially from 50 to 74. Researchers found 88% of breast surgeons and 82% of general surgeons recommend annual screenings.
A new study found that the Affordable Care Act's dependent care provision did not close the racial gap in coverage for young adult trauma patients. Despite improved insurance rates, significant disparities persisted among African-American and Hispanic youth.