Articles tagged with Surgical Procedures
Researchers examined changes in surgical procedures during pandemic, comparing post-COVID-19 shutdowns with peak infection rates and prepandemic volumes. They found significant adjustments in procedure volumes, likely influenced by public health measures.
A LSU Health New Orleans study reports a nearly 70% decrease in morphine milligram equivalent (MME) per discharge opioid prescriptions for patients who underwent common lower extremity surgical procedures. The study also found a significant decline in new opioid prescriptions, from 50% in 2013 to 19.3% in 2018.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel polymer-based hydrogel that can prevent postoperative pancreatic fistulae, a frequent complication of pancreatic surgery. The Exceval hydrogel shows great promise for clinical applications due to its adjustable properties and high absorption abilities.
Duke researchers developed a method to increase the depth of view of optical coherence tomography (OCT), allowing for clear images from beyond a millimeter beneath the skin's surface. The new technique, known as dual-axis OCT, tilts the light source and detector to collect more scattered light from deep tissues.
A study found that 'surgery selfies' taken by patients and assessed by clinicians can diagnose wound infections early, reducing GP visits and improving access to care. The practice could manage surgical patient care while reducing pressure on the NHS.
A recent study found that using consumer-grade wearable devices to track a child's heart rate and physical activity after surgery can help clinicians decide if at-home recovery is going as expected. The data from the wearables, coupled with parent reports, aids clinicians' decision-making and potentially prevents unnecessary ED visits.
A recent study published in Circulation found that patients receiving a combination of antiplatelet drugs for many months (up to 2.5 years) after stent procedures may not receive the full benefit of treatment. The researchers compared characteristics of 8,864 patients from an older trial to 568,540 contemporary patients and determined ...
A new study found that a simple surgical technique called posterior left pericardiotomy significantly reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The procedure, which involves draining excess fluid and small clots from the heart sac, was associated with a 56% lower incidence of irregular heart rhythm...
A new trial shows that the novel surgical device venous external support (VEST) may improve outcomes of coronary bypass grafting using leg veins by preventing intimal hyperplasia, a key factor in vein graft failure.
A NIH-funded study found that patients with a two-step surgical approach for 'leaky heart valves' had better short-term outcomes, but were more likely to need a pacemaker. The procedure involved repairing the tricuspid valve at the time of mitral valve surgery, and results showed reduced risk of death, reoperation, or severe regurgitat...
Researchers found a significant male bias in surgeon referrals, with male physicians more likely to refer patients to male surgeons. Female physicians were only 1.6% likelier to refer patients to a female surgeon, further widening the gender pay gap in medicine.
Defects in surgical care cost the American health care system over $12 billion annually. A holistic approach through Centers of Excellence can address these defects, increasing quality, patient experience, and reducing costs.
Boston University researchers found that even low levels of physical therapy before or after total knee replacement surgery lower the odds of chronic opioid use. Participation in six or more sessions of physical therapy post-surgery and initiation within 30 days of surgery were linked to reduced chance of chronic opioid use.
A new study found that facemask ventilation during routine surgery does not significantly increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission compared to normal breathing or coughing. The procedure is considered low-risk and should not delay or slow down surgery.
A new study found that a decline in hospital stays after surgery may be associated with an increase in post-discharge complications. Researchers recommend implementing a coordinated system to better identify and manage these complications, including improved patient education and enhanced communication between healthcare providers.
A nationwide pause of most elective operations led to significant financial losses for hospitals, with one study estimating a 42% loss of net revenue. Hospitals lost $1.53 billion from missed pediatric procedures, with a median time to recovery of one year.
A new surgical procedure, Conjunctivoductivo-dacryocystorhinostomy, has been developed to treat intractable canalicular obstruction and watery eyes. The procedure creates a new passage for tear fluid to flow, eliminating facial scarring and foreign matter.
A recent study by Michigan Medicine found that sleeve gastrectomy is associated with lower risks of death and complications compared to gastric bypass surgery. However, patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy were more likely to require follow-up surgery.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet studied long-term outcomes of patients with pacemakers after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and found no significant difference in mortality. The study included over 3,400 patients, with 481 receiving permanent pacemakers within 30 days of surgery.
A Canadian study found a significant decrease in cardiac procedures during the pandemic, resulting in higher wait list mortality rates. Despite no increase in wait times, patients with heart disease were at higher risk of dying while waiting for their procedure.
Researchers found that using the 'no-touch' technique to remove leg veins during coronary artery bypass surgery resulted in fewer blocked grafts and a lower incidence of recurrent chest pain. However, the technique was associated with more wound complications, particularly in female patients with type 2 diabetes or hypertension.
A new surgical procedure called Kareem's procedure has been introduced to treat congenital intestinal malrotation, a condition where the intestines twist, causing serious complications. The study shows favorable outcomes in patients with intact gut and disabling symptoms, with significant improvement in digestive symptoms after surgery.
A mixed-methods analysis found that most surgical patients prefer virtual follow-up care for its convenience, which does not compromise patient satisfaction. The study highlights the potential benefits of virtual visits in improving access to care and reducing barriers for patients.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released a new clinical practice guideline recommending referral to upper airway or bariatric surgery for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who are intolerant of CPAP therapy. The guideline provides strong recommendations for treatment, considering factors such as BMI and patient adherence.
Research finds that patients undergoing planned surgery in independent sector hospitals have shorter hospital stays and lower readmission rates than those treated in NHS hospitals. The study analyzed data from over 3.5 million patients and found significant differences in length of stay, emergency transfers, and readmissions.
A study developed by HSS experts shows improved patient outcomes, including reduced hospital stays and readmissions, after implementing an optimized recovery pathway for complex spine surgeries. The new approach also lowered complication rates and enabled patients to recover faster at home.
A novel approach to improve fitness for surgery, known as 'prehabilitation', has been shown to reduce cancer patients' hospital stay by 1.8 days compared to standard care. This study suggests that prehabilitation can benefit patient outcomes and potentially confer a survival advantage.
A new adhesive, inspired by barnacles' sticky substance, can form a tight seal within seconds of application on wet surfaces, including blood-covered tissues. This bio-inspired tissue glue shows promise in rapidly controlling bleeding and may offer a more effective treatment for traumatic injuries.
Researchers found that a mobile interventional stroke team treated patients faster and with better outcomes than standard care. Patients treated by the MIST team were more likely to be functionally independent at 90 days post-stroke.
A new study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that preoperative urinalysis screening for asymptomatic patients undergoing surgery has little or no benefit. However, the test may lead to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and exposure to potential harms, including Clostridium difficile infection.
Preoperative testing is often unnecessary for low-risk surgeries, yet it continues to be ordered despite evidence suggesting its low value. Patients who had a complete medical history and physical done during a visit were more likely to have had preoperative testing.
The ASMBS Foundation announced PatientPartner as a premier sponsor of its monthly giving program, AWARE. The partnership aims to raise funds for obesity research and increase access to metabolic and bariatric surgery, a proven effective treatment for severe obesity.
A new study found a decrease in major abdominal surgeries among older adults, except for certain procedures like pancreatic cancer. The study suggests improvements in medical treatments and cancer screening may reduce the need for invasive surgeries.
The International Society of Feline Medicine has published guidelines for blood transfusions in cats, emphasizing the need for careful consideration due to risks and limited donor availability. Blood typing and cross-matching are crucial to prevent potentially fatal reactions.
Experts propose making general anaesthesia available to dying patients, citing high public support. This would provide unconsciousness during final moments, alleviating suffering.
A randomized trial of telemedicine versus office-based follow-up after arthroscopic meniscal surgery found equivalent patient satisfaction scores between the two groups. Patients using telemedicine for postoperative follow-up had similar pain scores and complication rates as those making in-person visits.
A new study proves the fundamental feasibility of using AI to assess surgical skills, achieving 87% accuracy in identifying good or moderate surgical skill. The innovative three-stage approach uses computer algorithms to analyze instrument movement and correlate with expert ratings.
A RAND Corporation study found that bundled payments programs reduced total surgery costs by an average of $4,229 for procedures like knee replacement surgery. Patients who used preferred providers saw a 27.7% reduction in payments.
A randomized clinical trial in Sierra Leone showed that trained associate clinicians can perform groin hernia operations as safely and effectively as doctors. The study's findings suggest task sharing could help address surgical care shortages in low-income countries.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that associate clinicians performed inguinal hernia operations safely and effectively, with fewer cases of recurrence compared to medical doctors. The research suggests task sharing as an attractive option to expand surgical services in low-income countries.
A new UCLA-led study reveals that older patients who undergo emergency surgeries on their surgeon's birthday have a 23% higher mortality rate compared to those treated on other days. The study, published in the BMJ, suggests that surgeons may be more distracted on their birthdays than other days.
A US study found that patients who undergo surgery on their surgeon's birthday experience higher mortality compared to other days. The researchers suggest that surgeons may be distracted by life events unrelated to work, leading to potential medical errors.
The final 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will result in a 10% reimbursement cut for neurointerventional procedures, putting patients at risk of losing access to life-saving care. The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery warns that this measure could further exacerbate challenges faced by the field due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The minimally invasive Ellipsys system uses a small needle puncture to create a permanent vascular access for dialysis patients, resulting in improved patency rates and high levels of patient satisfaction. The system has been shown to outperform surgically created fistulas, with a reported 96% one-year patency rate.
A study found that female surgeons in the US perform 23% fewer complex procedures than their male counterparts, with no improvement over two decades. Researchers attribute this underemployment to biases among referring physicians and patients, not female surgeons themselves.
A study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma found that Medicare reimbursement for common orthopedic trauma procedures has decreased by 30% over the past two decades. This decline is largely due to inflation adjustments, with costs increasing by 52.8% but average reimbursement rising only 4.9%.
The new study found that both Ellipsys and WavelinQ systems enabled patients to start dialysis sooner compared to surgery, offering significant quality-of-life benefits. The Ellipsys System demonstrated higher technical success rate and more durable access, with 82% of Ellipsys fistulas still functional at 12 months.
A new study found that opioid prescription rates for outpatient knee surgery vary greatly across the US, with some states prescribing up to 85% of patients opioids. The average strength of prescriptions is also high, often exceeding the CDC's threshold for increased risk of overdose death.
A new surgical procedure called RADAR has been shown to create arteriovenous fistulae that mature more quickly, remain accessible longer, and are less likely to require reintervention. The study suggests this approach may improve clinical outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis.
Researchers used computational modeling to visualize heart valve implant behavior for the first time, revealing that thinner biological tissues can induce leaflet flutter, compromising durability and causing blood cell damage. This study builds upon decades of research and showcases the importance of supercomputing power in improving s...
A new study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery found that the Ellipsys System created durable vascular access for ESRD patients who require hemodialysis, with a patency rate of 96% after one year. This minimally invasive procedure reduces reliance on riskier vascular access options and improves patient safety.
Expert panel recommends criteria for resumeing elective orthopedic surgery, including local COVID-19 trends and personal protective equipment availability. Guidelines also emphasize patient education, social distancing, and postoperative safeguards.
The ASMBS emphasizes the effectiveness of metabolic and bariatric surgery in treating severe obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The organization recommends carefully considering individual patient factors and local COVID-19 prevalence before resuming procedures.
A large national database found that nearly 40% of patients who didn't use opioids before undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or heart valve procedures developed persistent opioid use afterwards. The study suggests that cardiac surgery may be a contributing factor to the development of opioid dependence in some individuals
Surgeons at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new technique that preserves the natural shape and color of nipples in men undergoing breast reduction surgery. The procedure involves cutting below the lower part of the breast and lifting it like a flap to remove unwanted tissue, reducing the risk of discoloration.
The Harmony TPV Pivotal Trial demonstrated favorable outcomes for the use of TPV device in patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation. The trial showed high procedural success, safety, and favorable device performance, with 100% freedom from procedure-related mortality at 30 days.
A recent survey found that cardiothoracic surgeons are highly satisfied with their jobs, despite external pressures, and are eager to attract new talent to the specialty. The demand for cardiothoracic surgery is expected to increase due to an aging workforce and growing patient needs.
The PCORnet Bariatric Study's findings provide a more complete picture of the comparative benefits and risks of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Patients with severe obesity can now make informed decisions about weight-loss surgery based on individual circumstances and preferences.
A new study found that one in five operations could lead to unexpected bills from out-of-network providers, including surgical assistants who were not part of the patient's insurance plan. The average potential surprise bill was $2,011, with some states experiencing much higher rates of surprise billing.
A new study published in NEJM compares minimally invasive TAVR to traditional open-heart surgery and finds no statistically significant difference in mortality or disabling stroke rates. The study, involving over 2,000 patients, also shows improvements in disease-specific quality-of-life measures.