Research on surgical treatment and outcomes. Covers fat-disorder surgery, survival after hip fracture, prostate-cancer care, and bariatric surgery.
A study of 32,501 melanoma cases found that 1 in 5 patients experienced a delay of surgery lasting longer than 1.5 months. Surgical delays were more common among older patients and those with prior melanoma or multiple medical conditions.
UK death rates for children's heart surgery have almost halved from 4.3% to 2.6% between 2000 and 2010, despite a rise in the number and complexity of cases. This shift suggests that more complex patients were taken on in later years.
Researchers found that cats undergoing surgery benefit from classical music, particularly George Handel compositions, which reduce respiratory rate and pupil diameter. The study suggests using calming music in surgical environments could decrease anaesthetic doses and promote patient safety.
A study of 500 women in California found that black and Hispanic patients were less likely to choose their surgeon based on reputation compared to white women. Health plans played a significant role in hospital selection for all groups. These findings suggest minority patients have less involvement in choosing their healthcare providers.
A study of 215 clinicians found that implicit race and social class biases were present in most respondents, but these biases were not associated with clinical decisions. However, the study suggests that existing biases may still influence the quality of care received by minority patients and those of lower socioeconomic status.
Patients who received ablation along with mitral valve surgery had better rhythm control and fewer episodes of atrial fibrillation compared to those who only received the valve surgery alone. However, they were more likely to require pacemaker implantation in the year following their surgery.
A study of 250 patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures found no significant differences between surgical and nonsurgical treatments in patient-reported outcomes over two years. The researchers concluded that these results do not support the trend of increased surgery for patients with this type of fracture.
The Anderson Algorithm increases surgical success in advanced ovarian cancer by providing a personalized approach to surgery, resulting in high complete resection rates of over 86%. This milestone is strongly tied to improved survival outcomes for patients.
A new, shortened test to assess frailty can accurately determine which surgical patients are most at risk for complications. The test, taking less than a minute, assesses grip strength and weight loss, providing critical information for patient planning and setting expectations.
A national study found nearly half of organ transplant surgeons experience low personal accomplishment and 40% feel emotionally exhausted. Surgeons who reported higher levels of personal accomplishment felt more control in their work life and had more support from co-workers.
A new study combines lab tests and ultrasounds to diagnose appendicitis in children, significantly improving clinical value and risk profiles. The approach can be adapted to individual settings, providing better care for patients with suspected appendicitis.
Research conducted by Lynda Dunn reveals that diathermy smoke contains nine hazardous compounds, four of which are carcinogenic, posing a risk to surgical personnel. The use of extraction devices is recommended to minimize exposure and improve workplace conditions.
A study published in Journal of the American College of Surgeons confirms the effectiveness of pre-trauma center blood transfusions in increasing one-day survival rates and reducing shock among air-lifted trauma patients. The UPMC protocol involves giving guidelines on when to administer transfusions, resulting in improved outcomes.
A Stanford study found that many donated hearts are being rejected due to varying acceptance criteria across regions. The rejection rate decreased from 44% in 1995 to 32% in 2010, highlighting a pressing need for standardized guidelines.
A new protocol for colorectal surgical care has been shown to decrease hospital stays by 2.2 days, reduce complications by 17%, and increase patient satisfaction with pain control by 55%. The approach also results in significant cost savings of up to $7,129 per patient.
A new study published in JAMA found that hospital report cards had no effect on surgical safety, including death rates, complications, readmissions, and costs. The study analyzed data from over 1 million Medicare patients and suggested that reporting data back to hospitals is not enough to improve quality.
A Mayo Clinic study analyzed over 345,000 patients' surgical outcomes between 2009 and 2013, finding no association between NSQIP hospital participation and improved postoperative outcomes. The study suggests that surgical outcomes reporting systems do not provide a clear mechanism for quality improvement.
A study examining the link between ACS NSQIP participation and surgical outcomes found no significant improvements in patient mortality, complications, reoperations, or readmissions. Additionally, hospital payments remained unchanged for participating versus non-participating hospitals.
New review highlights advances in image-guided surgery using fluorescence imaging to improve cancer detection and patient survival. Innovative strategies in low-income countries, such as mosquito net repairs and task redistribution, offer lessons for high-income countries.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that even when patients are actively warmed with forced air, their body temperature still decreases during the first hour of surgery. Patients who experience the most hypothermia are more likely to require blood transfusions.
A new cohort study found that low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are inversely associated with the need for mechanical ventilation in critically ill surgical patients. The study suggests that optimized vitamin D status may reduce respiratory muscle weakness and systemic inflammation, leading to shorter respiratory support times.
A recent study published in AORN Journal found that specialty nursing certification contributes to improved surgical patient outcomes in hospitals. The research showed higher rates of certified ambulatory perianesthesia nurse (CAPA) and certified nurse operating room (CNOR) certifications were associated with lower rates of central-lin...
Researchers developed a system to selectively insert compounds into cancer cells, identifying malignant tissues for precise surgery. The technology uses near-infrared light to kill remaining cancer cells, promising a more accurate and effective approach to cancer surgeries.
A study by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that patients in the highest risk category were less likely to receive gallbladder removal surgery. Despite this, only 22% of those in high-risk group had their gallbladders removed. The researchers used a predictive model to identify low-, moderate-, and high-risk ca...
Researchers found that postoperative TRALI is significantly underreported but occurs in 1.4 percent of surgical patients, while TACO remains a risk at 4 percent, particularly in those with increased volume of blood transfused and advanced age. The studies provide new insights into the incidence of these life-threatening complications.
The Perioperative Surgical Home model significantly improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs through coordinated care. Studies found PSH models reduced cancellations, complications, readmissions, and hospital stays.
A new Northwestern University study found that implementing duty hour restrictions in 2011 did not improve surgery patients' outcomes, but may have hurt patient safety and resident education. The study suggests that these restrictions disrupted the continuity of caring for surgical patients.
A study examined general surgery patient outcomes before and after 2011 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty hour reform. The findings show that the reform was not associated with a significant change in death or serious illness, as well as no impact on resident examination performance.
A new study found that macho stereotypes discourage both men and women from pursuing traditionally masculine occupations. The research suggests that increasing the appeal of these jobs to a more diverse range of men could help attract more women, leading to greater equality in the future.
A new technology has been developed that allows for the creation of an invisible 3D haptic shape using ultrasound. This innovation enables surgeons to explore complex medical imaging data, such as CT scans, in a more immersive and tactile manner.
Researchers used 3D printing to create detailed heart models of three patients with complex congenital heart defects. Surgeons successfully repaired severe abnormalities in all three patients, potentially extending their lifespan by decades. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize surgical planning and treatment.
The PRESERVE study aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of IVC filters in preventing pulmonary embolism. It will enroll 2,100 patients at over 60 centers across the US and assess patient outcomes every six months for up to two years.
Researchers found that higher volume hospital and surgeon volume are associated with fewer post-operative complications and improved overall survival for bladder cancer patients. The study aims to identify processes and interactions leading to better outcomes, which could inform improvements in care at lower volume hospitals.
A century on, researchers found WWI surgeons couldn't effectively treat amputation-related pain, despite advancements in prosthetic technology. Phantom limb pain, common among survivors, remains poorly understood and difficult to manage.
A simple awareness-raising campaign reduced distracted driving incidents by 50% among hospital staff. The intervention educated employees about the dangers of texting and cell phone use while driving, with significant long-term impact.
A new study found that children under 18 with appendicitis are more likely to experience a ruptured appendix if they live in areas with severe shortages of general surgeons. Younger children, especially those under 5, face the greatest risk due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
A new study found that two-thirds of health websites recommending prostate cancer screening aligns with medical organizations' stance. Many online resources advocate for patient-individualized approaches, while some sites advise against screening due to potential risks.
A new study by the American College of Surgeons recommends that older trauma patients receive palliative care to address their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. The study found that elderly trauma patients have unrecognized needs for palliative care, which can improve their quality of life and alleviate pain.
The study found that over-the-scope clip (OTSC) placement is a safe and effective therapy for closing gastrointestinal (GI) defects. Clinical success rates ranged from 90% for perforations to 73% for leaks, with successful closure of fistulae being less than half the patients.
The Surgical Trauma Series examines the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of large-scale trauma. Researchers discuss the systemic immune response to trauma, its association with reduced resistance to infection, and the role of ageing in influencing survival rates.
A combination of factors makes it difficult to pinpoint the extent of organ trafficking worldwide. Researchers identify five key reasons for this lack of clarity, including a reluctance by organ donors to speak out and inconsistent laws across countries.
The Mayo Clinic has developed a scoring system to identify patients who can safely bypass the intensive care unit (ICU) after liver transplantation. The study found that 54.3% of patients can be fast-tracked, with better survival rates compared to those sent to the ICU.
A multidisciplinary program that incorporated best practices across perioperative care phases significantly reduced superficial surgical site infections (SSIs) and postoperative sepsis. The bundled approach improved patient outcomes but had no significant impact on deep SSIs, length of stay, or readmission rates.
A new study found that robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) procedures for prostate cancer increased from 0.7% to 42% among US surgeons between 2003 and 2010. RARP adoption was associated with higher volume providers and decreased costs over time.
Patients with advanced laryngeal cancer who underwent surgery had significantly better disease-specific and overall survival rates compared to those treated with nonsurgical chemoradiation. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 patients diagnosed between 1992 and 2009.
Patients with low vitamin D levels are at increased risk of death and serious complications after noncardiac surgery. Higher vitamin D concentrations were associated with decreased odds of in-hospital mortality/morbidity, but the association was only statistically significant for cardiovascular complications.
A study found significant variation in hospital use of medical consultations for surgical patients, with greater differences among those without complications. Hospitals that are non-teaching or for-profit have a higher rate of medical consultation use, while larger hospitals have more consultations for THR patients.
A new study found that electronic reminders, such as text messages, significantly increase patient compliance with a preadmission antiseptic showering regimen. The study showed a 66% reduction in composite mean concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate on the skin surface in patients who did not receive digital communications.
A new study reveals nearly half of transplant surgeons experience burnout, with high emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment reported. The findings highlight the need for organizations to develop systems to prevent burnout and support sustainable workforces.
A study at a Veterans Affairs hospital found that implementing a postoperative pneumonia prevention program led to a significant decrease in pneumonia rates, from 0.78% to 0.25%. The hospital reported a total of 18 cases of postoperative pneumonia among 4,099 patients between 2008 and 2012.
A study published in JAMA found that patients who underwent gall bladder removal without postoperative antibiotic treatment did not experience a higher incidence of infections compared to those who received antibiotics. The lack of antibiotic treatment was associated with similar length of hospital stay and readmission rates.
Researchers evaluated 459 patients who underwent transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for failed bioprosthetic aortic valves. The study found that survival rates were associated with surgical valve size and mechanism of failure, with patients experiencing better outcomes for regurgitation compared to stenosis.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reports that surgical resection improves survival among metastatic melanoma patients with limited liver disease. The five-year survival rate for surgical patients was 30%, compared to 6.6% for nonsurgical patients.
A new study shows that patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery lose significant amounts of bone density, even after their weight stabilizes. Bone health may need to be closely monitored in these patients to prevent fractures and osteoporosis.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has identified five tests and procedures commonly performed in anesthesiology that may not be necessary, potentially saving patients time, money, and preventing harm. These recommendations include avoiding baseline laboratory studies, cardiac testing, pulmonary artery catheters, blood tra...
Dr. Herndon has made significant contributions to burn care, including discoveries related to metabolic responses and increased caloric needs after burns. He is recognized as one of the elite surgeons globally, with numerous publications and a prestigious award from the International Burn Foundation.
A study by MD Anderson Cancer Center found that needle biopsy is underused in breast cancer diagnosis, with many patients undergoing unnecessary excisional biopsies. Surgeon influence was also a significant factor, with certain characteristics associated with a higher rate of excisional biopsies.
Researchers found that even modest delays in TAVR can significantly impact its effectiveness in severely ill patients. Modest increases in wait times reduced the treatment's benefits, while prolonged waits made it less effective than surgery for high-risk surgical candidates.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that older black trauma patients are 20% less likely to die from their injuries compared to white patients. This counterintuitive finding suggests that factors such as better access to healthcare and lower rates of penetrating trauma may contribute to the difference in survival rates.
A new study analyzing Michigan hospital data found that Medicaid patients who underwent surgery had twice as many health risk factors, more emergency operations, and two-thirds more complications than those with private insurance. They also used 50% more hospital resources.