Articles tagged with Surgical Procedures
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.