Articles tagged with Surgery
A recent study suggests that surgery provides a favorable outcome for long-term multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients. The surgeons at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center have extensive experience in treating mycobacterial lung disease, making them uniquely qualified to assess individual patient risk/benefit balances.
The study found that 4-MDCT results correlated accurately with surgical findings in 88 of the cases (93%), and specifically with renal vein anatomy in 91 of the 94 cases (96%). This technique offers several advantages over conventional imaging methods, including speed, non-invasiveness, comfort for patients, and greater volume coverage.
A study found that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) had similar graft patency and clinical outcomes as conventional CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. OPCAB also resulted in lower hospitalization costs, with a mean savings of $2,272 at discharge and $1,955 at 1 year.
A study of 501 patients with recurrent prostate cancer found that salvage radiotherapy can be effective for patients with high-grade disease and rapid PSA doubling time, suggesting it may prevent metastatic disease progression. The study's findings support early treatment for these patients, who are at the highest risk of disease spread.
A recent study found that hospital procedural volume is only modestly associated with risk-adjusted CABG mortality rates, suggesting that other measures are needed to assess quality. Low-volume hospitals often achieve excellent outcomes despite operating on higher-risk patients.
Cataract surgery is expected to increase due to its major cause of blindness globally. New technologies like implantable miniature telescopes, multifocal IOLs, and accommodating IOLs are being developed to enhance vision, especially for patients with defective irises or macular degeneration.
The study evaluated 27 surgeons in 23 centers and found that quality of surgery is independent of caseload. The parameters used included length of surgery, blood loss, postoperative continence, and PSA levels after surgery.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has awarded Special Recognition Awards to Mr. McManus for his dedication to vision research, and Dr. Jones and Dr. Brown for their innovative research and humanitarian efforts. The awards recognize their contributions to the field of ophthalmology.
A breast cancer program for low-income women found a significant rate of 12.3 cancers per 1,000 women, exceeding results from other screening programs. Excellent compliance with surgical recommendations was also observed, attributed to the program's translation and transportation services.
A recent study evaluated eZ-Scope's performance in identifying radioactive nodes during sentinel node biopsy. The results showed that eZ-Scope allowed for more accurate identification of nodes in less time.
A new organ preservation solution, Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketogluterate (HTK), has been shown to be more practical and easier to use than the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution for preserving livers before transplantation. The study found similar outcomes between HTK and UW in terms of initial organ function and clinical measures.
A new study by NYU Langone Health's cardiac surgeons found that off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) reduces hospital mortality, stroke risk, and complication rates in high-risk patients with severe aortic atherosclerosis. OPCAB results in lower mortality rates (6.5% vs 11.4%) and shorter hospital stays compared to conventi...
Researchers found that wearing surgical masks significantly reduces the risk of SARS transmission for healthcare workers. In contrast, staff members who did not wear masks were more likely to contract the disease despite following other safety protocols.
A recent study found that patients over 40 years old have a higher risk of needing LASIK retreatments, while those with high refractive error and astigmatism also require more frequent corrections. The study's results suggest that lifting flaps using manual technique can reduce the need for recut flaps during retreatments.
Researchers at RIT have developed MRE heating technology, enabling hot meals and drinks for soldiers. The device uses magnesium to produce heat and has been part of every MRE used by US troops since the Persian Gulf War.
Researchers found that using a mesh patch for large hiatal hernias results in no recurrence of the condition, marking a significant improvement over traditional surgical methods. This breakthrough study provides new hope for patients with large hiatal hernias, offering an effective and lower-risk treatment option.
The development of a 3D animated heart took one and a half years to complete, using multiple ovine data sets from a Stanford University study. Medical animation software integrated into robotic systems will create a new modality in visualization for cardiac surgery.
The Norwegian Cancer Society's project has made significant strides in improving rectal cancer treatment, resulting in a 30% increase in five-year post-operative survival rates since 1999. The project aims to raise quality at hospitals whose results are still not good enough by improving surgery techniques and patient examination prior...
Researchers discover that metals like iron are essential for the synthesis of a biological matrix in ocean mussels. This finding could lead to the development of powerful adhesives and antifouling coatings.
Dr. Rita Charon, a Columbia University professor, has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to complete her book on narrative medicine. Her research focuses on the literary and narrative techniques that enable physicians to achieve empathy with patients.
The study found that patients given beta-blockers before bypass surgery had a 30-day mortality rate of 2.8%, compared to 3.4% for those not receiving the drug. The researchers also observed fewer instances of kidney problems and mechanical ventilation time in patients taking beta-blockers.
A new study suggests that liver transplant matching based on histocompatibility could reduce disease recurrence in patients with hepatitis C and primary biliary cirrhosis. The University of Pittsburgh study analyzed data from over 3,000 liver transplants and found that a match significantly decreases the incidence of acute and chronic ...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that bladder exstrophy causes more extensive pelvic girdle bone defects than previously known. The study reveals an outward flare of the hip bone and rotation of the entire pelvic girdle, impacting surgeons' understanding of these defects.
A study of 13,958 Canadian women found that the median time from screening to first assessment was 2.6 weeks and to diagnosis was 3.7 weeks. Women with breast cancer waited shorter times than those with benign findings. However, even with expedited investigations, 10% of women with breast cancer still waited over 12 weeks for a diagnosis.
A new study found that women treated in teaching hospitals for initial breast cancer surgery had a five-year survival rate of 93%, compared to 89% for those treated in community hospitals. Comprehensive care approaches and multidisciplinary services may contribute to these differences.
William Cohn, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, has invented the Cohn Cardiac Stabilizer, allowing coronary artery bypass surgery to be performed on a beating heart. The device has advanced the state of the art and will speed patient recovery and save lives.
Researchers found that long-term anticoagulant use doesn't reduce venous thromboembolism or death after knee or hip surgery. A new study shows promise in treating scleroderma with recombinant human relaxin, reducing skin thickening and improving mobility.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have discovered a defensive molecular mechanism launched by the body to protect against oxygen deprivation on the heart. HIF and VEGF, two angiogenesis genes, are activated in response to ischemia or infarction, attempting to increase decreasing blood flow.
Researchers at Queen's University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the cause of sudden heart failure after open-heart surgery. They found that a specific protein called troponin I is damaged, leading to cardiac stunning. This new understanding could lead to new ways of preventing and treating this specific heart problem.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that routine preoperative tests do not improve outcomes or reduce complications from cataract surgery. The researchers analyzed data from over 19,000 patients and found no benefit to the testing, which adds an estimated $150 million to Medicare costs each year.
A new study led by UCSF scientists found that giving patients more oxygen during and after anesthesia can cut the rate of surgical wound infections in half. The increased oxygen improves immune cells' ability to fight infections, reducing hospitalization time and costs.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that videotaping surgeries can improve outcomes in radical prostatectomy. The study, which involved 62 patients, showed that minor differences in surgical techniques can have a major impact on results. Surgeons who perform successful procedures should review the footage to identify key factors.
Research suggests that men with high HDL cholesterol levels after coronary bypass surgery live longer and experience fewer cardiac events. High levels of HDL cholesterol may be more significant than LDL in predicting long-term outcomes for patients undergoing heart surgery.
Researchers found that men with low HDL levels had nearly twice the mortality rate as those with higher levels after coronary bypass surgery. High HDL levels also helped clear bad cholesterol from the blood and protected against heart disease.
Lung cancer treatment disparities between blacks and whites are attributed to racial attitudes and biases, affecting surgical resection rates and survival outcomes. UCSF specialists emphasize the importance of addressing these inequities through improved communication, screening tests, and clinical trials.
Researchers will compare surgical and nonsurgical treatments for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis in a 5-year study. The study aims to determine the relative effectiveness of these treatment approaches in improving health-related quality of life and reducing resource use.
Researchers at University of Florida report a 92% survival rate for newborns with diaphragmatic hernia using a new treatment strategy that reduces overventilation and delays corrective surgery, significantly improving lung function and development.
A study by Daniel I. Sessler and colleagues found that surgical pain increases the risk of infection by reducing tissue oxygenation, which is crucial for fighting infection. The study showed that patients with minimal pain had higher tissue oxygenation concentrations and a lower risk of infection.
A new study by the NIH/NINDS found that lower doses of aspirin (81-325mg) taken before and after carotid endarterectomy surgery are more effective in preventing strokes than higher doses. The results suggest that lower doses may be better tolerated and easier to take, making them a promising option for stroke prevention.
A new study by Case Western Reserve University researchers found that relaxation and music can significantly reduce post-operative pain in surgery patients. The study, which tested 500 patients over a 29-month period, showed that these self-care methods reduced pain more than medication alone.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms that intravenous neostigmine is an effective and safe treatment for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. The study involved 21 patients with severe abdominal distention and dilated colon who had failed to improve after 24 hours of conservative treatment.
Research found that relaxation and music reduce pain more than pain medication alone, providing complete relief without side effects. These self-care methods can hasten recovery and improve hospital stays for millions of Americans who undergo surgery annually.
Patients with atrial septal defects can benefit from surgical closure earlier in life to prevent future symptoms, according to researchers. The study found that surgery between ages 16 and 80 can restore normal blood circulation and prevent arrhythmia.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that lung transplant patients who received lungs preserved for more than six hours had similar survival rates compared to those stored for less than four hours. The study, which examined over 350 cases, suggests that the current organ allocation policy may need to be revised.
Researchers at UPMC found PET scanning to be 84% accurate in detecting distant metastases, compared to CT's 63% accuracy. The study highlights the potential benefits of PET scanning in improving treatment decisions for patients with esophageal cancer.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that surgical experience is a crucial factor in achieving better clinical outcomes for patients undergoing thyroidectomy. The results showed that surgeons performing the most thyroid operations had lower complication rates, shorter hospital stays, and lower average hospital charges. This study...
A recent study published in Pediatric Emergency Care found that air gun injuries accounted for 87 of the 162 injuries caused by guns during a seven-year period. The research revealed that air gun wounds can be serious and even permanent, with 13 children suffering from visual disabilities.
A study by NIEHS found that variations in two genes (NAT1 and NAT2) interact with environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, increasing the risk of bladder cancer. Individuals carrying both at-risk copies of these genes have a tenfold higher risk of developing bladder cancer.
A new study finds that positron emission tomography (PET) can detect additional tumors in patients with warning signs of colorectal cancer. PET imaging confirmed disease in 15 out of 17 patients with tumors, while those with negative results remained cancer-free for at least nine months.
A new study by NYU Langone Health researcher Susan Harlap found that breast cancer surgery timing has no impact on survival rates since the mid-1980s. Changes in medical practice, including improved anesthesia and post-operative care, may have contributed to this shift.
A new study from the University of Washington found that generalists are more likely to provide primary care to elderly Medicare patients, suggesting an approach at the center of most managed-care plans. Specialists tend to restrict themselves to medical problems specific to their specialty and rarely immunize their patients.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that delivering pain medication to patients before surgery reduces post-operative pain long after. The study, which involved 90 men undergoing radical prostatectomies, showed significant pain reduction in patients who received preemptive analgesia.
The article discusses psychiatric genetics research funded by Nazi Germany, raising concerns about the separation of science from the scientist. Dr. Miron Baron examines the history of this research and its implications for contemporary investigators.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a technique to help surgeons determine the extent of tumor spread in pancreatic cancer patients. This method uses an antibody labeled with radioactivity to detect cancer cells, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing harm from extensive surgery.
Researchers from 95 medical centers found that finasteride significantly reduced prostate surgery and urinary retention risk. Over four years, patients treated with Proscar experienced a 20% prostate size reduction and lower risks of complications.
A study conducted at the University of Michigan Health System found that administering amiodarone prior to elective heart surgery reduced atrial fibrillation by approximately 50%. Patients who received amiodarone experienced less discomfort, shorter hospital stays, and lower hospital costs compared to those who received a placebo.
A new study by Thomas Jefferson University finds that traditional criteria for stroke-preventing surgery may overestimate men's risk and underestimate women's risk due to smaller carotid arteries. The 70% blockage threshold may need to be adjusted to account for these differences.
Studies of over 25,000 Emory angioplasty and coronary bypass patients reveal significant improvements in patient outcomes, including shorter hospital stays and decreased mortality rates. Hospital costs also decreased by 30% between 1988 and 1996, with a notable reduction in the last two years.
A new study of over 1,000 prostate cancer patients found that those who underwent surgery had remarkably good outcomes, with few reporting dissatisfaction or problems with urinary or sexual function. Despite fears about complications, most men felt healthier and satisfied with their treatment after surgery.
The FDA has cleared Cook's low-profile GR II Coronary Stent, allowing cardiologists to treat blockages in hard-to-reach blood vessels without bypass surgery. This new stent could benefit thousands of U.S. heart disease patients who previously required heart bypass surgery.