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Study shows short & long-term cost-savings associated with minimally invasive surgery

A study by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center found that laparoscopic colectomy procedures resulted in $6,689 lower costs compared to open surgery, with patients experiencing fewer days of health care utilization. The study also showed a significant difference in healthcare expenditures and patient workdays after the procedure.

CV organizations issue recommendations for minimally invasive valve treatments for children, adults

Expert consensus paper provides guidance on transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement for patients with congenital heart disease. The recommendations stress the importance of a heart team collaborating on treatment decisions, and institutions must meet specific requirements to perform these procedures.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMar 24, 2015

Bariatric surgery associated with improved long-term survival

A study found that bariatric surgery significantly reduced all-cause mortality rates among obese patients, with improved survival at 5 and 10 years post-surgery. The research involved 2,500 surgical patients and 7,462 control patients, and suggests a beneficial relationship between surgery and survival for severely obese adults.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJan 6, 2015

Study finds gallbladder surgery can wait

Researchers found that patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy during normal working hours were more likely to receive minimally invasive procedures. The study also revealed no significant differences in complication rates or length of stay between day and night surgeries.

New guidelines issued for managing peri- and postoperative atrial fibrillation

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery has released new evidence-based guidelines for preventing and treating perioperative and postoperative atrial fibrillation. The guidelines aim to reduce the incidence of POAF, which is associated with longer hospital stays, increased morbidity, and mortality.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateSep 22, 2014

For gastric bypass patients, percent of weight loss differs by race/ethnicity, study finds

A Kaiser Permanente study found that non-Hispanic white patients lost an average of 63% of their excess weight after gastric bypass surgery, compared to 59% for Hispanic and 56% for black patients. The study also showed that vertical sleeve gastrectomy patients lost similar amounts of weight across racial and ethnic groups.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalSurgery for Obesity and Related Diseases·DateJun 23, 2014

2 million people eligible for weight loss surgery

A new study published by JRSM Open suggests that up to 2 million people in England could benefit from bariatric surgery due to obesity-related diseases. The researchers highlight several factors contributing to low surgery rates, including patient awareness and socioeconomic status.

SourceSAGE·JournalJRSM Open·DateJan 17, 2014

Weighing in: 3 years post-op bariatric surgery patients see big benefits, Pitt study says

Severely obese patients who underwent gastric bypass or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgical procedures experienced substantial weight loss, with most of the change occurring in the first year. The study also found significant improvements in obesity-related complications, including diabetes, hypertension, and high choleste...

Medicare Center of Excellence Policy may limit minority access to weight-loss surgery

A new study published in JAMA found that the Medicare centers of excellence policy limited minority access to weight-loss surgery, with a 4.7 percentage point decline in non-white patients receiving bariatric surgery after policy implementation. The policy restricts patients to high-volume hospitals designated as centers of excellence.

Cleveland Clinic study finds lowest risk treatment for severe carotid and coronary disease

A retrospective study from Cleveland Clinic found that patients who underwent stenting of the carotid artery followed by open heart surgery had the best outcomes. The researchers compared three common treatment approaches and found that this combination had significantly lower risks of serious events after one year.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJul 31, 2013