Articles tagged with Surgical Procedures
A new American College of Surgeons quality improvement program linked to a two-thirds decrease in smoking rates in patients undergoing cervical and lumbar spine procedures. The program, Strong for Surgery, helps patients prepare for surgery by identifying and evaluating evidence-based practices to optimize their health.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that laser treatment, YAG vitreolysis, significantly improved symptoms of eye floaters in 54% of patients, with 53% reporting complete improvement. The procedure also showed improvements in quality of life, including general vision and independence.
A study published in Obesity Surgery found that only 2,112 out of 37,806 patients (5.58%) underwent subsequent body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery. The majority of these patients had higher incomes or health insurance, and the procedures usually occurred within two years after the initial bariatric procedure.
A recent study at the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that electrodermal activity, measured through skin perspiration, can provide an objective evaluation of resident physicians' surgical skills. As training progressed, resident responses to stress during surgery decreased in relation to their experience level.
A large study of adults who underwent weight-loss surgery found that nearly one in five developed problems with alcohol. The most common procedure, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, was associated with a higher risk of alcohol use disorder than other procedures.
A single-center study of over 15,000 patients found that mandatory headwear changes did not lower infection rates, contradicting previous hospital policy. Researchers concluded that the traditional surgeon's cap does not pose a significant risk for surgical site infections.
Researchers developed an automated drill that can make complex cranial surgeries 50 times faster than standard procedures, reducing time and increasing safety. The drill uses software to set safe cutting paths and has an automatic emergency shut-off switch.
A new study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases shows endoscopic needle knife therapy to be safe and effective for treating intestinal strictures in IBD patients. The procedure, pioneered by Cleveland Clinic doctors, offers advantages over traditional treatments like surgery and balloon dilation.
A new training simulation model using 3D printing and special effects has been developed to teach minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures. The model closely mimics the head and brain structures of an adolescent human patient, providing realistic visual and tactile feedback during simulated surgery.
Empyema is a potentially deadly accumulation of pus around the lungs, with a high mortality rate. New AATS guidelines provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and management of empyema in adults and children.
In 2016, Americans spent over $16 billion on cosmetic plastic surgery, with a national average cost of $3,719 for breast augmentation. The report also highlights the increasing popularity of minimally-invasive procedures like botulinum toxin type-A injections and hyaluronic acid fillers.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that approximately 6% of patients continued to use opioids more than three months after surgery. Risk factors for persistent opioid use included preoperative tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, and preoperative pain disorders.
A new study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that day of the week did not affect survival chances of people undergoing emergency surgery. Researchers analyzed over 50,000 emergency surgery cases in Scotland and found no evidence to link day of the week to an increased risk of death.
A new study found that closing the left atrial appendage during cardiac surgery significantly reduces thromboembolism risk, a leading cause of stroke, by 40%. The procedure also shows promise for patients who cannot take anticoagulant medications.
A team of researchers is developing a wearable robotic system for minimally invasive surgery, which will offer surgeons natural movement and the ability to sense, see, control, and safely navigate through the surgical environment. The system will be equipped with exoskeletons that fit over the surgeon's hands, smart glasses with real-t...
A recent study published in Health Economics Review found that opting out of requiring physician supervision for anesthesia does not increase access to surgery or reduce costs. In fact, the study suggests that working without physician supervision may lead to higher costs related to inpatient surgical care.
A study found that patients whose surgeons had a history of higher numbers of patient complaints were at increased risk of surgical and medical complications. The study analyzed over 32,000 patients and found that prior patient complaints significantly associated with the risk of complications, including readmission.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that patient complaints can identify surgeons with higher rates of surgical site infections and other avoidable adverse outcomes. These physicians not only make patients unhappy but also impact the ability of other team members to do their work, leading to more complications.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that states opting out of Medicare's rule requiring physician supervision did not increase access to anesthesia care. Despite expectations, patients in 'opt-out' states were no less likely to travel further distances for procedures, suggesting that eliminating physician supervision may not be a...
A new study found that lap band surgery significantly improves weight and BMI in severely obese Australian teenagers, with median BMI reduction of 10 kg/m2. The procedure is a safe and effective option for adolescents with severe obesity, provided performed by an experienced surgeon and managed regularly.
Overlapping surgeries showed improved patient recovery factors, such as shorter hospital stays and lower mortality rates. However, researchers caution that younger and healthier patients were more likely to benefit from this type of procedure.
New clinical practice guidelines recommend surgical ablation for treating atrial fibrillation, showing improved heart rhythm, quality of life, and stroke reduction. Surgical ablation is an effective treatment option for Afib, with significant improvements in long-term outcomes.
A Mayo Clinic study comparing thousands of overlapping and non-overlapping surgeries found no difference in postoperative complications or deaths within a month. Overlapping surgeries provide greater access to qualified surgeons and more efficient use of operating rooms.
Current system may not detect outliers in surgeon performance, as low caseloads limit statistical power to identify high mortality rates. The analysis suggests that more meaningful outcome measures, such as patient satisfaction and functional health status, are needed for accurate evaluation.
A study suggests combining dental and medical procedures during general anesthesia can improve patient safety, reduce costs, and increase patient satisfaction. Nearly 87% of children who underwent combined procedures experienced no complications, with an average savings of $165,000 per case.
Researchers developed a nomogram to predict early ICU readmission for surgical patients using seven common variables. The tool helps clinicians identify high-risk patients and prevent unnecessary readmissions by assessing their readiness to leave the SICU.
A new study published in CMAJ found no correlation between the day of the week elective surgery is performed and patient risk of death. The researchers analyzed data from 402,899 procedures over 10 years, including variations in surgeon experience and post-surgical care on weekends.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that implementing lean processes reduced average surgical wait times from 33 days to 12 days, while increasing operative volume and reducing no-shows. The improvements were sustained over multiple areas and seen during the implementation of new technologies.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that gastric bypass surgery resulted in a nearly 30% greater weight loss compared to non-surgical patients after one year. The study also showed that patients who underwent gastric bypass maintained a 21% greater weight loss over 10 years.
Tendon transfer surgery can significantly improve hand and elbow function in quadriplegics, enabling patients to perform daily activities like dressing and bathing. However, the procedure remains underused due to lack of coordinated collaboration among specialists.
A new study published in The Journal of Urology reveals that female urologists perform more procedures on women and have higher surgical volumes for gender-specific cases. This finding challenges the assumption that women prefer to see female physicians, with results showing a significant difference in treatment rates across regions.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies found no significant difference in surgical site infection (SSI) rates between procedures using sterile and nonsterile gloves. The analysis included 11,071 patients from 228 SSI cases, with rates of 2.1% for non-sterile glove procedures and 2% for sterile glove procedures.
Severely obese patients undergoing weight loss surgery are at higher risk of fractures before and after surgery. The study suggests that guidelines should be followed on patient adherence to dietary supplements and physical activity to reduce fracture risk.
According to a study published in JAMA, children with trisomy 13 and 18 showed significant improvement in survival rates after undergoing surgical interventions. The study found that one-year survival for these children was around 20-30%, with some even surviving up to 10 years.
A study of 9,972 older surgical patients found that a decline in function or mobility after surgery was associated with an increased risk of hospital readmission and death. Postoperative complications were also a significant factor in readmission risk.
Patients undergoing bariatric surgery at accredited centers have lower risks of serious complications, including death, and experience lower hospital charges. The American College of Surgeons review study analyzed over 1 million patients and found significant benefits of accreditation.
Researchers have developed novel adhesives inspired by mussels to seal fetal membranes after in-utero surgery, reducing the risk of premature labor and delivery. The new glue works in wet environments, a significant improvement over existing adhesives.
The risk of blindness caused by spinal fusion surgery has decreased nearly three-fold since the late 1990s, with an estimated 60% decline over two decades. The study attributes this reduction to advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques and changes in anesthesia practice, such as stricter blood pressure limits during surgery.
Researchers found that combining procedural checklists with error-tracking systems enhances resident performance. Evaluating residents on cadavers helps them identify areas for improvement, while an objective evaluation system provides unambiguous feedback.
Researchers found that administering a small dose of the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone before surgery and avoiding profound anesthesia can help reduce the incidence of POCD. After six months, pre-operative cognitive status was restored in all patients in the study.
A new study estimates that the world's 60 million refugees need at least 2.78 million surgeries annually, with many types of care, including C-sections and burn care, being essential but often neglected in crisis situations. The researchers call for increased attention to surgical needs in refugee populations.
Studies found that patients undergoing surgery at critical access hospitals had lower heart failure, diabetes, obesity, and co-existing disease rates. Adjusted Medicare expenditures were also lower at these hospitals, with no significant difference in 30-day mortality rates or complication risks compared to non-critical access hospitals.
A team of surgeons from the Bakoulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery successfully implanted bioabsorbable vascular grafts into five children born with single-ventricle congenital malformations. The grafts are designed to biodegrade, allowing the patient's own cells and proteins to reconstitute natural functioning tissue.
A study published in Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques found that sleeve gastrectomy is effective for individuals classified as moderate or severe sweet eaters before the surgery. The procedure has shown promising weight loss results, even among those with high pre-surgery sweets consumption.
A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that slow gait speed before surgery is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity following cardiac surgery. For each 0.1 meter/second decrease in gait speed, there was an 11% relative increase in operative mortality.
A new staging system aims to explain revision rhinoplasty complexity and manage patient expectations. The PGS Staging System assesses three components: problem, graft, and previous surgical procedures, as well as a 'patient expectations' component.
A Johns Hopkins University computer scientist has successfully programmed a robot to adjust to the subtle movement of soft tissues during surgery, promising improved safety and efficiency. The robotic system, called STAR, was compared with human surgeons and showed comparable performance in terms of suture spacing and seam leakage.
A study published in JAMA Surgery identifies the top 7 emergency general surgery (EGS) procedures that account for most complications, deaths, and costs. These procedures include partial colectomy, small-bowel resection, and laparotomy, which collectively accounted for 80% of EGS frequency, mortality, and hospital costs nationwide.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that certain weight control practices and eating behaviors after bariatric surgery are associated with significant weight loss differences. Developing positive changes in behavior, such as ceasing negative habits or increasing positive ones, can lead to greater weight loss.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that the modified Rankin Scale is poorly suited to evaluating neurosurgical treatment results. A one-year follow-up study revealed that 24% of patients with no complications showed decreased function on the scale, while 28% with complications received identical or better scores.
A study found that the number of open cholecystectomies performed by general surgery residents has decreased significantly since laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced 30 years ago. This decline is raising concerns about whether surgeons will have enough technical experience to perform traditional open cholecystectomy procedures.
A study of 2,221 patients found that most experienced improvements in pain and walking ability after bariatric surgery, particularly in those with significant weight loss. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions or depressive symptoms were less likely to see improvements in pain and mobility.
A study by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that many pediatric surgeons perform rare and complex procedures infrequently, risking skill loss and patient outcomes. The research suggests that high-fidelity simulation-based training can improve surgical skills and reduce error risk.
A new study from Duke Health reveals that patients undergoing thyroidectomy should seek surgeons who perform at least 25 operations annually to minimize risks. The study analyzed data from over 16,000 patients and found an association between surgeon case volume and complication rates.
A study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery found that septorhinoplasty revision rates were low at 3.3%, but certain patient characteristics, such as younger age and history of anxiety or autoimmune disease, were associated with increased revision rates. The authors analyzed data from over 175,000 patients undergoing septorhinopla...
Two studies at Hospital for Special Surgery found that cartilage restoration procedures relieve pain and improve function in patients with articular cartilage damage. The procedures using different types of cartilage plugs showed a high degree of satisfaction among patients.
The study found a significant decrease in breast conservation surgery (BCS) use overall, with the highest decline observed in younger women. Reoperation rates after BCS were also higher in certain surgeon groups, highlighting the importance of volume and expertise.
A new study published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that a sustainable surgical follow-up program can be cost-effective in ensuring acceptable outcomes for patients treated during short-term mission trips. The study showed that 97% of fractures were successfully repaired, and 101 patients experienced successful wound healing.
The implementation of surgical safety checklists at a tertiary care hospital was associated with a reduced risk of death within 90 days after surgery, but not within 30 days. Hospital length of stay was also reduced after the implementation of SSCs.
Patients undergoing major vascular surgery experienced high rates of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, increasing long-term cardiovascular-specific death. Preoperative risk stratification through estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria can help prevent or mitigate further decline in kidney function.