Articles tagged with Surgical Procedures
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 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.
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.
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.
Sir Magdi Habib Yacoub has been honored with the 2020 Earl Bakken Scientific Achievement Award for his pioneering work in heart-lung transplantation and cardiothoracic surgery. He has performed over 2,500 heart transplants and 20,000 heart operations, transforming small hospitals into major transplant programs.
Patients who undergo open heart surgery can be discharged in 3 days without increased risk of complications, according to a recent study. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs aim to improve patient-centered care and reduce hospital stays by up to 30%.
A RAND Corporation analysis suggests that Medicare overpays surgeons for postoperative care, with only a small share of the care provided. Adjusting payments could reduce reimbursements by 28% and result in increased payments to primary care providers.
A large study of over 33,000 bariatric surgery patients found that gastric bypass patients were significantly more likely to end up back in the hospital after five years compared to those who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. The researchers also found higher rates of endoscopy and abdominal operations for gastric bypass patients.
A new study found that 90% of patients with knee osteoarthritis are waiting too long for knee replacement surgery, losing function, while 25% of those without need get the procedure prematurely. This delays deterioration and reduces mobility, leading to additional health issues.
Patients overwhelmingly agree that anaesthesia providers should use checklists in their presence, with high scores indicating reduced risk of errors and improved patient safety. However, anaesthesia providers underestimate patient discomfort, suggesting a need for increased collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals.
Researchers analyzed data from a large US health insurance plan to compare risks of repeat surgeries after gastric bypass and sleeve procedures. Sleeve gastrectomy was associated with lower overall risk of subsequent operative and nonoperative interventions up to four years post-surgery, the study suggests.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that gastric bypass surgery is associated with a slightly higher risk of returning to the operating room or having other types of interventions. By four years out, researchers estimated that 26.5% of bypass patients had an endoscopy procedure compared to 18% of sleeve patients.
Researchers found that nearly 92 percent of Ellipsys fistulas were still functional after two years, with patients reporting high levels of satisfaction. The study's results confirm the Ellipsys system provides good vascular access while reducing pain and discomfort associated with traditional fistula surgery.
A new study reveals that frail patients are at a significantly higher risk of death after even minor surgeries, including laparoscopic gallbladder removal. The researchers found that patients classified as frail or very frail had mortality rates of up to 43% after moderate-stress procedures.
A VA-funded study found that frail surgery patients are at a significantly higher risk of mortality, even after low-risk procedures. Mortality rates were alarmingly high, with 30-day death rates ranging from 1.6% to 43%. The researchers recommend assessing frailty before any surgical procedure and focusing on pre-operative interventions.
A retrospective study of 432,828 veterans patients found that frail individuals had higher mortality rates after low-stress and moderate-stress surgeries. The 30-day mortality rate among frail patients after a low-stress procedure was 1.55%, significantly higher than the 1% often used to define high-risk surgery.
A survey study of nearly 1,000 patients found no significant change in patient satisfaction with surgeons when they prescribed fewer opioids. The results suggest that reducing opioid prescriptions may not have a direct impact on patient satisfaction with surgical care.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital found female surgeons performed fewer high-paying procedures and earned 24% less per hour, challenging the notion that a fee-for-service system closes the earnings gap between men and women.
A study of 3,275 surgeons found female surgeons earned less per hour and were less likely to perform lucrative procedures. The study also identified significant earnings differences between specialties, with women earning up to $60/hour less than men in cardiothoracic surgery.
Rates of filled opioid prescriptions after eye surgery doubled from 1.2% in 2000-01 to 2.5% in 2014 across six ocular subspecialties, despite reduced invasiveness and recovery time for these procedures. The study's findings are concerning as they suggest that efforts to reduce opioid use have not had the desired impact.
A comparison of opioid prescription fills after surgery revealed significant differences between the United States, Canada, and Sweden. The study found that 76.2% of US patients filled an opioid prescription within seven days of discharge, compared to 78.6% in Canada and 11.1% in Sweden.
Researchers analyzed over 470,000 cardiac procedures and found no differences in mortality, complications, or costs between July and other months. The study suggests that experienced multidisciplinary teams can provide high-quality care regardless of resident training status.
A study by the American Heart Association found that less-invasive leg artery procedures are as effective as open surgery in preventing amputations and improving survival rates. Patients who received endovascular procedures first had longer periods of amputation-free survival compared to those treated with open surgery.
Researchers identified four characteristics - fall history, malnutrition, delirium, or decubitus ulcer - as predictors of extended stay in a care facility. These findings empower physicians to counsel patients on possible post-operative impacts and guide hospital quality improvement initiatives to address these factors.
A study of over 1,800 cases found that the need for additional surgery was twice as high after transobturator sling surgery compared to retropubic sling. The study also revealed lower reoperation rates and fewer complications with the retropubic procedure.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute reveals that patients with a bicuspid aortic valve who undergo TAVR have the same survival and complication rates as those without the defect. The analysis of over 2,700 patients found no significant difference in death rates between the two groups.
A new study published at the Euroanaesthesia Congress found that wrong side surgical errors (WSEs) are more common than thought, with over 80 incidents reported in 11 years. The study highlights the need for improved training and implementation of surgical safety checklists to prevent such errors.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that endovascular aneurysm repair had similar long-term overall survival rates as open repair, making it a viable option for patients. The minimally invasive procedure is also less painful and has a shorter recovery period than open surgery.
As the population ages, surgery rates are increasing, leading to a higher risk of complications and death for elderly patients. The BJS analysis reveals that more than one in ten people in England will undergo surgery at 75+, with estimated costs exceeding €3.2 billion by 2030.
A study comparing percutaneous liver ablation interventions (IRs) to surgical procedures for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) found IRs had significantly lower inhospital mortality rates and hospitalization costs. IRs were also associated with shorter lengths of stay and a higher routine discharge rate to home.
A multidisciplinary approach called enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is being reviewed for its benefits in speeding up patient recovery from surgery. ERAS involves a holistic approach by involving various healthcare professionals before, during, and after surgery to improve outcomes.
Researchers found that eliminating routine but low-value preoperative tests for cataract surgery patients can lead to significant cost savings. The study showed a savings of $67,241 over three years at one medical center, without measurable negative effects on patients.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that hospitals performing the highest volume of TAVR procedures have significantly lower mortality rates compared to those performing fewer procedures. This relationship held true even after accounting for the learning curve and individual proceduralist performance.
New research published in CMAJ found a higher risk of severe maternal complications after cesarean delivery, particularly among women aged 35 and older. Women under 35 had 1.5 times the odds of complications, while those over 35 had almost twice as high odds.
A team of researchers, including University of Utah engineers, are working on a new procedure to restore hearing loss using an implantable device that sends electrical impulses to the auditory nerve. The device has shown promise in improving sound resolution and compatibility with existing hearing aids.
A new study suggests that minimally invasive transcatheter valve replacement is a safe and effective therapy for healthier patients at low surgical risk. Patients treated with TAVR had lower incidence of disabling stroke, bleeding complications, and atrial fibrillation, but slightly higher moderate aortic regurgitation.
In the multicenter clinical trial, TAVR showed superiority to open-heart surgery in low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. One-year mortality rates were significantly lower with TAVR, with 42 deaths vs 68 in the surgical group. The study also found shorter hospital stays and fewer strokes for TAVR patients.
A recent study at Hospital for Special Surgery found that multi-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) can be safely performed in an outpatient setting without increased risk of complications. The study compared outcomes between 57 outpatient and 46 inpatient patients, with results showing shorter operative times and hosp...
A VA study examined the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection in patients with known or suspected lung cancer from 2002 to 2015. The proportion of this minimally invasive procedure increased significantly over time, but its adoption varied by VA region.
A new Michigan Medicine study found that long-term opioid use by one or more family members was associated with persistent opioid use by adolescents prescribed opioids after common surgical and dental procedures. The research highlights the potential risks of young adults continuing opioid prescriptions long after their surgeries.