Articles tagged with Surgical Procedures
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.
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.
A comprehensive analysis of over 60,000 surgical procedures found that overlapping surgeries do not significantly increase the risk of post-surgical complications and patient death in most cases. However, patients deemed high risk due to age and preexisting medical conditions, as well as those undergoing coronary artery bypass graft su...
Researchers compared two groups of patients who underwent clot retrieval with either a balloon-guided catheter or a conventional guide catheter. Patients treated with the balloon-guided catheter showed improved restoration of blood flow scores and clinical outcomes, highlighting its potential to enhance stroke patient care.
A study by Kenton Panas and colleagues found that cross-contamination during two-person assisted gowning procedures is common, affecting 67% of cases. A single-person gowning procedure can eliminate this source of contamination and optimize sterile technique in the OR.
A new study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found no increase in complications for patients undergoing overlapping orthopedic surgery. The analysis included over 22,000 outpatient procedures and showed a comparable complication rate between overlapping and nonoverlapping surgeries.
A new study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found no major impact on brain health after major heart surgery. Researchers compared cognitive decline between patients undergoing heart surgery and those who received a catheter-based procedure, and found that the two groups showed little difference in memory performance.
A national survey found that nearly half of respondents believed most people who have weight loss surgery do it for cosmetic reasons, while 40% think it's an 'easy way out'. The study suggests that negative public attitudes may be a contributing factor to the low use of weight loss surgical procedures.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have improved a standard clinical scoring system to predict diabetic remission after bariatric surgery, extending prediction time from one to five years.
A multicenter study of 14,135 orthopaedic procedures found that overlapping surgeries did not increase complication rates and had lower hospital stay lengths. The researchers emphasize the importance of patient informed consent and disclosure of this practice.
Researchers have developed a miniature pacemaker design that enables less painful, faster recovery times, and reduced medical costs. The innovative approach uses a tiny incision to implant the device, cutting down on surgical time.
A study of almost 2,400 patients in Michigan who underwent surgery found that more opioids were prescribed than used. Patients used about 27 percent of the opioids prescribed, with larger prescriptions associated with increased use.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine developed a simplified procedure called SEAL to remove scar tissue and adhesions that contribute to post-surgical low back pain. The study found short-to-moderate term pain relief in 74% of patients, with over 40% experiencing greater than 50% pain relief after three years.
A study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that day of discharge has no impact on hospital readmissions for patients after major heart surgery. The research credited education and outpatient intervention programs with improved patient outcomes.
A systematic review of 25 clinical trials found little evidence that invasive surgery reduces chronic pain. The study's findings raise concerns about the widespread use of these procedures without rigorous testing.
Researchers found that the Ross procedure reduced death from all causes by 46% compared to mechanical valve replacement, while also decreasing stroke and bleeding complications. However, patients undergoing the Ross procedure were more likely to require reoperation due to graft failure.
A 2014 US Drug Enforcement Administration policy change was associated with an increase in filled opioid prescriptions after elective surgery. Most of the increase was attributed to hydrocodone, the most commonly prescribed opioid following surgery.
The guidelines, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, recommend custom-tailored pain management regimens based on the operation and patient needs. The ranges offered for each procedure generally call for reductions from current rates of opioid prescription.
A specialized heart bypass program with a dedicated team may result in faster operations and improved patient survival. The study found lower rates of blood transfusions and complications such as stroke during the specialized era.
A recent study found that receiving a red blood cell transfusion before, during, or after surgery significantly increases the risk of developing postoperative blood clots. The research analyzed data from over 750,000 surgical patients and revealed that these transfusions were associated with an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of patients admitted to Ontario hospitals with hip fractures did not receive surgery within the recommended 24-hour window. Hospital-level improvements are necessary to address these delays, with factors such as patient transfer and preoperative consultations contributing to wait times.
A Johns Hopkins study found that patients undergoing colonoscopies and upper-GI endoscopies at US outpatient specialty centers face a higher risk of bacterial infections than previously believed. The research revealed that infection rates vary widely among facilities, with some ASCs experiencing rates up to 100 times higher than expected.
A new study has demonstrated that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) under local anesthesia can be safely performed on patients with lung cancer who previously would have been deemed inoperable. The procedure showed better patient satisfaction and reduced length of stay compared to traditional surgical methods.
A new study found that patients with low risk of local recurrence can safely undergo surgery alone without receiving chemoradiotherapy. This strategy could reduce the number of patients who receive chemoradiotherapy by half, with minimal risk of undertreatment.
A simple walking test, known as the 6-minute walk distance, can predict a patient's risk of developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after heart surgery. The study found that patients with lower 6MWD distances were more likely to experience POCD.
A study of 704 day surgery patients in Sweden found that those with inadequate health literacy had poorer postoperative recovery and reduced health-related quality of life two weeks after surgery. Identifying patients with low health literacy is crucial to optimize their care and improve outcomes.
A study of nearly 300 women found that while most pelvic prolapse surgeries regress over time, symptoms remain significantly improved five years post-surgery. The study suggests that neither procedure might work as well in the long-term as surgeons once thought.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that Medicaid expansion in Michigan did not negatively impact patient outcomes for coronary artery disease procedures. The research used data from 7,558 CABG procedures and 45,183 PCI procedures performed at various hospitals across the state.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals substantial problems and risks associated with medical tourism for plastic surgery. The most common complications included infections, pain, and wound-healing issues, with many patients relying on US medical insurance to cover follow-up care.
A survey of 502 individuals found that patients are more willing to undergo non-invasive dental procedures such as teeth cleaning and whitening performed by a robot. The promise of half-price dentistry increased participants' willingness to accept robotic dentistry, with only 32% opposed at full price.
A study of trained surgeons found that repeating similar procedures on an operating list results in shorter operating times. This natural 'warm-up' effect allows surgeons to optimize their performance and reduce operating times.
Researchers found that surgeons complete operations more quickly when repeating a procedure, reducing operating theatre time by an average of 6% across 35 procedures. This 'warm-up' effect was consistent across different procedures and could lead to improved patient outcomes.
A new study reveals that elderly Medicare patients underwent fewer minimally invasive surgeries compared to the general population, missing out on potential benefits of lower complication rates and readmissions. The study highlights the underuse of minimally invasive surgery in eligible candidates as an example of low-value care.
Patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery experienced significant weight loss, improved glycemic control, and reduced cardiovascular risk compared to those on intensive lifestyle management. After three years, surgical patients saw an average of 55 pounds lost and lower hemoglobin A1c levels.
A national medical records analysis suggests an increase in gender affirming surgeries performed for transgender individuals, with improved access to Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance coverage. The study found no observed mortality associated with gender affirming surgery throughout the entire study period.
A study found that genital surgery increased among transgender patients between 2000 and 2014, with 46.4% paying out of pocket for procedures during this period. The number of patients covered by Medicare or Medicaid also increased, indicating growing demand for gender-affirming surgeries.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that a common knee operation in elderly patients provides little benefit and may be considered low-value care. The procedure, called arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), accounted for an estimated two-thirds of all orthopaedic knee arthroscopy procedures in older patients.
A study at a safety-net hospital in northeast Florida found that it could perform complex operations like esophagectomy with fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than the national average. The institution's use of a written, standardized protocol was credited for its superior outcomes.
A recent study found that patients who lost at least 8 percent of their excess weight just one month before undergoing bariatric surgery had a 7.5 percent greater weight loss at the 12-month post-surgery mark compared to those who did not achieve this goal.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs reduce hospital stays and opioid use for colorectal and bariatric surgery patients. The ERAS program includes preoperative education, carb loading, and pain management strategies to improve patient outcomes and lower costs.