A decline in international medical graduates is creating a shortage of general surgeons, threatening patient access to quality surgical care. The study found that rural areas are particularly affected, with a 40% decline in the number of rural surgeons and a projected shortage of 1,875 general surgeons by 2020.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A study found significant variability in 5-year patient survival rates for lung transplantation centers in the US, with risks of death ranging from 30% lower to 70% higher. Despite controlling for procedural volume, center performance remained significant, suggesting true differences in quality of care.
A survey of Swiss surgical residents and consultants found that the 50-hour workweek limitations negatively affected surgical training, operating time, and patient care. However, 58% of residents and 81% of consultants reported improved quality of life.
Researchers analyzed surgical outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer patients over 30 years, finding improved survival rates with earlier stage diagnoses. The increase in patients diagnosed with early-stage adenocarcinoma is thought to contribute significantly to the favorable results.
A new study found that grassroots awareness and education programs have more than doubled minority organ donations since their inception. The National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program has increased the percentage of minority donors to 35%.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
New research findings indicate that delaying cholecystectomy in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis results in increased costs, morbidity, and mortality. Prompt surgical treatment leads to lower re-admission rates and improved survival rates.
A study found that patients with positive CT exam results who exhibit inconsistent symptoms may have chronic or recurrent appendicitis and should undergo surgical treatment. The researchers reviewed medical records of 2,283 patients who underwent CT scans between 2002 and 2007.
A national survey of surgical residents found that those who are single or do not have children are more likely to pursue specialty fellowships. The study also highlights the growing trend of specialization among surgery residents, which may impact the future of general surgery.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that a simple frailty test can accurately predict surgical outcomes in older patients. The test assesses physical reserve and ability to withstand stress, identifying those at risk for complications and prolonged hospital stays.
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
A study found that preoperative MRI can help surgeons identify the neurovascular bundle and spare it during RALP, leading to better erectile function outcomes. The technique has improved surgical decision-making without compromising oncological results.
A pilot pneumonia-prevention program implemented in a hospital surgical ward significantly reduced postoperative pneumonia, with an 81% decrease in incidence. The program, which included eight evidence-based strategies, was highly statistically significant and could improve patient care and lower healthcare costs.
The new Canadian practice guideline addresses improper use of opioids in chronic non-cancer pain management. The guideline provides recommendations for safe and effective opioid therapy, with a focus on risk stratification, patient selection, and monitoring.
A study suggests that breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect breast lesions missed on mammography and ultrasound, influencing surgical management choices. Breast MRI positively impacts patient management decisions, potentially reducing the need for re-intervention by accurately assessing tumor extent.
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
The journal will support high-quality continuing professional development and enable travel medicine practitioners to share research and recent developments. The partnership aims to promote best levels of health and high standards of healthcare worldwide.
A new study from the University of Michigan Health System found that doctors who own a surgery center operate on average twice as many patients as those without such financial ties. This increased caseload may be due to lowered treatment thresholds, suggesting potential conflicts of interest among physician owners.
Researchers found that surgical masks were as effective as respirators in preventing hospital staff from acquiring H1N1. The study suggests that a uniform policy of using surgical masks when in close contact with patients can protect healthcare workers from infection.
Researchers have developed biocompatible flexible electronics that can map large areas of tissue at once, monitoring electricity coursing through a beating heart. The technology has the potential to redefine design strategies for advanced surgical devices and implants.
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
A new study by the American College of Radiology found that X-rays are often inconclusive in detecting hip and pelvic fractures. The study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to confirm or rule out fractures, revealing a significant number of missed diagnoses.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology suggests that women with radial scars should undergo surgical excision to rule out an underlying malignancy. The study found that up to 40% of radial scars are associated with cancer, and that mammographic and sonographic appearances are not reliable indicators of malign...
Scientists found that emphasizing non-pathogen specific infection control practices, such as hand hygiene and chlorhexidine bathing, significantly reduced MRSA rates. The study observed a 91% reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections, a 62% reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and a 92% reduction...
A French national program to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) reported important successes with mandatory public reporting. The program led to a drop of 40% in MRSA cases and improved infection control measures across the country. Key initiatives included advancing research, improving communication with patients, and stan...
A global study indicates that uterine fibroid embolization has a comparable fertility rate to myomectomy, the gold standard surgical treatment, for women seeking to conceive. The procedure showed a 58.1% fertility rate, similar to myomectomy's 57% success rate.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
A new study found that breast cancers detected through palpable lumps, not mammography, were more common in women who didn't undergo annual screening. The researchers also found that clinical breast examination and breast self-examination played a crucial role in detecting breast cancer.
A study published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons found that uninsured gunshot trauma patients had a higher mortality rate than insured patients. After adjusting for demographics and injury severity, the odds of dying from a gunshot trauma were 2.2 times greater for uninsured patients. This disparity underscores the need...
A landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that live kidney donors suffer few ill effects from the procedure and are likely to live as long as those with both kidneys. The study analyzed data from over 80,000 live kidney donors in the United States.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
A large-scale US study found that live kidney donors have similar long-term survival rates as healthy individuals, contradicting previous concerns about increased mortality. The study, which analyzed over 80,000 donations, suggests that living kidney donation is a safe and reasonable option for addressing the organ shortage.
A new evaluation tool helps clinicians decide whether to surgically remove or monitor asymptomatic pancreatic cysts. The tool considers overall health, age, cyst size, surgical risk, and patients' quality of life preferences.
Research by Dr. Atul Gawande and collaborators developed a core set of safety standards for surgery, resulting in over 1,600 hospital implementations globally and widespread adoption across 16 countries.
Researchers found that hospital volume accounts for as much as 79% of observed differences in hospital quality, making high-volume hospitals a better choice for patients. Despite being marketed as superior, top-rated hospitals do not consistently deliver better outcomes than lower-rated but higher-volume facilities.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
A study found that preoperative computed tomography (CT) use among women of reproductive age coincided with a significant decrease in negative appendectomies. The increased utilization of CT and advances in technology led to improved diagnosis and reduced false-positive diagnoses, resulting in lower unnecessary surgeries.
Researchers Yoed Rabin and Kenji Shimada are developing an interactive simulator for cryosurgical procedures, combined with a computerized tutor to evaluate quality. This project aims to enhance surgical training by practicing virtual cryosurgical procedures, motivating surgeons to learn and improve their skills.
Complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) require prompt treatment to prevent tissue destruction and minimize mortality. The new guidelines emphasize the importance of rapid diagnosis and initiation of antibiotic therapy, including surgical debridement for necrotizing infections.
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
A study found that using smartphones with special software to view CT scans allowed radiologists to accurately diagnose acute appendicitis. The technique, which uses encrypted wireless networks and OsiriX Mobile software, showed promising results in a small sample of patients.
A Mayo Clinic-led study found that nearly 9% of US surgeons reported making a major error in the past three months, with burnout and depression being key factors. The researchers suggest that reducing work hours may not be enough to limit errors unless addressing burnout is also prioritized.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that burned-out and depressed surgeons are more likely to report major medical errors. The research found a significant association between burnout, depression, and self-reported medical errors, highlighting the need for better support for surgeons struggling with mental health.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that younger women with breast cancer can safely delay treatment for up to 71 days after undergoing fertility preservation. The study found no significant delay in cancer treatment when fertility preservation is coordinated in a timely fashion.
Researchers found left side grafting has lower risk to donors compared to right lobe grafts, and recipients can achieve comparable survival rates with smaller graft sizes. The study suggests using left side grafts more frequently in adult-to-adult liver transplantation to reduce donor risk.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
A new scale, the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale (DAAS), helps clinicians determine disease severity and need for surgery in infants with NEC. The DAAS provides a standardized 10-point radiographic scale that increases with disease severity, enabling earlier detection of patients at risk for developing severe NEC.
A study published in JAMA found that attending physicians working nighttime hours did not have a significantly increased rate of complications for procedures performed the next day. However, having less than six hours of sleep opportunity between procedures was associated with an increased rate of surgical complications.
A new study found that patients who underwent less-invasive endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms had a lower risk of death in the first 30 days after surgery compared to those who received open repair. The procedure also resulted in reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications.
A study found that minimally invasive radical prostatectomy with robotic assistance may shorten hospital stays and decrease surgical complications, but increase genitourinary complications. Men of higher socioeconomic status opted for this high-technology alternative despite limited data demonstrating superiority.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute found that survival rates for intestinal and multivisceral transplants increased with innovative surgical techniques, novel immunosuppressive protocols, and better post-operative management. The five-year survival rate rose to 68 percent, similar to other abdominal and thora...
A recent study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found that iodine-based skin preparation solutions, such as 3M's DuraPrep Surgical Solution, may be superior to chlorhexidine in preventing surgical-site infections. The study of over 3,200 general surgery patients suggests a significant reduction in morbidity and ...
A randomized controlled trial found that surgical masks are non-inferior to N95 respirators in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza among nurses. The study suggests that surgical masks may be a suitable alternative when N95 respirators are not available, particularly in routine healthcare settings.
A McMaster University study found that surgical masks are as effective as N95 respirators in protecting healthcare workers against influenza. The research showed an estimated effectiveness within one percent of the respirator, with no increased rate of infection.
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that high-quality hospitals have medical teams proficient at rescuing patients once complications arise. Low-mortality hospitals have lower death rates from post-surgical complications compared to high-mortality hospitals.
Arizona State University has received over $32 million in federal stimulus funding for various research projects. The grants focus on developing new sources of renewable energy, improving the diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis, and enhancing children's oral language skills.
A new study in Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that major disasters like Hurricane Katrina can significantly impact surgical services, leading to increased costs for routine operations. However, the same study revealed that hospitals can achieve cost efficiencies by having staff cover and share more duties.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found no evidence of a 'July Phenomenon', where more medical errors occur due to new residents, despite widespread belief. The study analyzed data from a trauma registry and showed no differences in patient outcomes between July and other months.
A survey of nearly 4,500 general surgery residents found that most are satisfied with their training and relationships with faculty and peers. However, they also reported concerns about their clinical skills, family life strain due to work stress, and need for additional specialty training to be competitive in the job market.
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
A minimally invasive procedure called CT-guided tube pericardiostomy has been found to be just as effective as surgical drainage in treating pericardial effusion, with a significant cost savings of 89%. This treatment method spares patients from recovery time and reduces the risk associated with invasive surgery.
A study of hospital relocation provides insights into aid disaster planning by restricting elective surgeries and limiting incoming transfers. This approach helped one major hospital reduce its census by 36% without interrupting emergency or trauma services, a strategy that can be applied during disasters to improve surge capacity.
The US has reached a critical point on obesity, with 72 million adults affected. Health reform that directly addresses obesity is crucial to saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
A study found that daily chlorhexidine bathing can dramatically reduce the risk of deadly bloodstream infections in ICU patients. Chlorhexidine glutonate is a cheap and effective antibacterial agent available for just $6 per bottle or $0.33 per packet.
A study by Elliott R. Haut and colleagues found no significant differences in death rates among patients treated by novice vs. experienced trauma surgeons in a structured trauma program. Patients managed by novice surgeons showed improvement in mortality rates after structural changes were implemented.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
Dr. Michael E. O'Brien has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to dental education, receiving the Daniel M. Laskin Award for Outstanding Predoctoral Educator in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is a respected educator, mentor, and clinician with over 25 years of experience at LSUHSC.
A report in Archives of Surgery found that most women surgeons (82.5%) would choose their career again, citing lifestyle implications such as high patient acuity and irregular work hours. Women were also more likely to value part-time work options and child care benefits.
Researchers found no clear benefit of repairing patent foramen ovale in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, but rather an increased risk of postoperative stroke. Patients with newly discovered PFO were more likely to be women and have a history of stroke or atrial fibrillation.
A survey of surgical residents found that nearly half consider duty hour regulations a significant barrier to their education. Senior residents are more likely to desire longer work hours than restrictions allow.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
A Swedish study found improved long-term survival rates among patients with intact abdominal aortic aneurysms who underwent surgical repair between 1987 and 2005. Patients in their 80s and males experienced higher relative five-year survival rates, likely due to atherosclerosis, whereas advances in postoperative care and endovascular a...