Researchers found a 'weekday effect' in mortality rates for patients undergoing elective surgery, with higher risks at the weekend and end of working week. The study suggests poorer quality of care may contribute to this, particularly for patients with more diseases or previous admissions.
The new guidelines aim to optimize blood use for surgical patients by preparing units only for procedures requiring transfusions. By streamlining the process, hospitals can reduce waste, lower costs, and enhance patient outcomes.
A study evaluates long-term effectiveness of abdominal sacrocolpopexy surgery, finding that it effectively provides relief from POP symptoms but deteriorates over time. The procedure also decreases the risk of stress urinary incontinence, but mesh erosion remains a problem.
A JAMA study found that surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, specifically abdominal sacrocolpopexy, loses effectiveness over time. Despite initial success, women experience progressive loss of anatomic support and mesh erosion, a complication of the procedure.
A recent study found that women are more likely to undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), a minimally invasive procedure to remove medium to large kidney stones. The study also discovered an increase in blood infection and overall complications, with sepsis incidence doubling from 1.2% to 2.4%.
A study found that interspinous spacers have a lower complication rate than spinal fusion, but patients receiving spacers are more likely to require repeated back surgery. The researchers compared outcomes of three surgical treatment options for spinal stenosis in over 99,000 Medicare patients.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have successfully tested a catheter-based procedure that diverts bile into the small intestine, producing significant weight loss and metabolic benefits in obese rats. The study suggests manipulation of bile acids may be sufficient to recreate the effects of bariatric surgery.
New Johns Hopkins research finds no link between patient satisfaction scores and surgical care quality scores, but suggests that a better workplace culture for staff can improve patient satisfaction. The study emphasizes the need for better instruments to capture technical skills and medical judgment in measuring hospital quality.
A new tool allows surgeons to track surgical devices in real-time while minimizing patient radiation exposure by using a computer program that determines the fewest number of X-rays needed. The algorithm takes into account the type of procedure and required precision, providing precise location data with minimal radiation use.
A new study suggests that transgastric appendicectomy, a minimally invasive procedure through the stomach, may offer an alternative to traditional appendectomies. The procedure causes less pain than classical surgical methods and avoids external incisions, reducing wound infections and incisional hernias.
A recent study by Henry Ford Hospital reveals that the rise in minimally invasive kidney stone surgery has led to a higher incidence of blood infections and overall complications among female patients. The procedure's use has increased by 47% since 1999, with women making up a larger share of those undergoing the treatment.
A review of medical literature reveals limited data on experience-related outcomes in children's surgery, with hospital-level characteristics strongly associated with improved outcomes for complex procedures. Surgeon-level factors appear more important for common, less resource-demanding procedures.
A multicenter study found no significant difference in combined outcomes of death, stroke, heart attack, repeat revascularization or new renal replacement therapy between on- and off-pump coronary bypass surgery in elderly patients. The results suggest that both techniques are safe and effective for this age group.
A study suggests that non-emergency angioplasty performed at hospitals without on-site cardiac surgery capability is no less safe and effective than the procedure at hospitals with cardiac surgery services. The research found that rates of major adverse cardiac events were similar between the two groups, with outcomes not differing sig...
A study found that bariatric surgery outcomes improved across all hospitals, including both high-quality centers of excellence and non-excellence hospitals. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services policy restricting coverage to COEs had no measurable impact on complication rates or reoperation needs.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) is releasing a policy statement on live surgery ethics, prioritizing patient safety. The statement aims to establish uniform standards and monitor outcomes for EAU-approved live surgery events.
A new study by UCSF neurosurgeon Christopher Ames and orthopedic surgeon Vedat Deviren found that complex spinal surgeries with two attending physicians were significantly shorter, averaging five hours instead of eight, and resulted in less blood loss, fewer major complications, and shorter hospital stays.
Researchers estimate that 80,000 never events occurred in American hospitals between 1990 and 2010, including leaving foreign objects inside patients. The study highlights the need for better patient safety procedures and public reporting of mistakes to prevent these errors from happening.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that long-term survival rates for patients undergoing abdominal aneurysm repair with either open or less-invasive endovascular procedures are comparable. However, the research suggests that elderly patients may not benefit from the minimally invasive operation.
The study found that inpatient bariatric procedures among adolescents plateaued at around 1,000 procedures annually from 2003 onwards. The preferred type of operation changed to minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, replacing open procedures.
A recent UC Davis study reveals that general thoracic surgeons perform the majority of complex noncardiac thoracic surgeries, including esophageal and lung procedures. The research supports the recognition of general thoracic surgery as a distinct specialty, benefiting patients in selecting surgeons for specific procedures.
A study of postdischarge complications after general surgery procedures found that 16.7% of patients experienced a complication, with the majority occurring within 30 days of discharge. Proctectomy, enteric fistula repair, and pancreatic procedures had the highest postdischarge complication rates.
A new study by The Journal of Urology reports that outpatient urological surgical procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices are significantly less costly than hospitals. On average, payments for these procedures were up to a third lower when done outside hospital settings.
A University of Maryland study found that single-port kidney removal through the belly button resulted in higher satisfaction rates among living donors, with fewer limitations after surgery. The new technique also showed slightly less pain and no increased risks or complications compared to traditional multi-port laparoscopic removal.
The PRAGUE-12 trial revealed that surgical ablation using the MAZE procedure significantly improves sinus rhythm presence one year post-operatively among patients with permanent AF. However, it had no impact on mortality, stroke or other hard clinical outcomes during a one-year follow-up.
A study by University of Melbourne researchers found that doctors often fail to warn patients of risks affecting quality of life, particularly chronic pain and sexual dysfunction. To avoid 'he said/she said' disputes, keeping a clear record of consent discussions is key.
A study of over 200,000 patients found no long-term increased risk of death with endoscopic vein graft harvesting compared to open vein-graft harvesting, while also showing a significant reduction in wound complications.
A study published in JAMA found that older Medicare patients who underwent cataract surgery had a 16% lower odds of hip fracture compared to those with untreated cataracts. The researchers suggested that cataract surgery may be associated with lower odds of subsequent fracture in the elderly population.
Researchers found a significant association between total hip and knee replacement surgeries and an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the first two weeks after surgery. The risk remained elevated for six weeks, with the strongest association in patients over 80 years old.
A new study examining the health-care expenditures after bariatric surgery found no significant association between the procedure and reduced healthcare costs. The research suggests that trends in adjusted total expenditures mirrored those of outpatient and inpatient expenditures.
A device used to prevent incontinence in women after pelvic-floor surgery shows promise, reducing symptoms but increasing side effects. Researchers suggest counseling women on risks and benefits prior to the procedure.
A study funded by the NIH found that surgery to support the urethra with a sling reduces incontinence rate, but carries risk of complications such as difficulty emptying bladder and urinary tract infection. The study suggests considering potential benefits and risks when deciding whether to have second procedure at same time as first.
A recent study suggests that laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is associated with greater safety and lower resource use compared to open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The minimally invasive approach resulted in shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and lower total charges.
A Stanford University Medical Center study found that minimally invasive weight-loss surgery is safer and more effective than open surgery, with lower mortality rates, complication rates, and hospital stays. The study examined 156,271 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass cases and confirmed the superiority of minimally invasive techniques.
The study found that non-elderly, lower- and medium-income populations, as well as Hispanics and whites, experienced increased inpatient surgical procedures after Massachusetts health reform took effect. Improved access to outpatient care for vulnerable subpopulations is a key finding of the study.
A study in Neurosurgery found that surgeons with low experience (less than 4 procedures/year) have higher complication rates for spinal stenosis surgery. Hospital volume was unrelated to complication rates, suggesting individual surgeon expertise is key.
A study of Medicare data reveals that surgical treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer has increased substantially since 2001, primarily due to the growing use of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). MMS was more likely performed on lesions on the lip and eyelid, and its use varied by age and region.
A study comparing sleeve gastrectomy with medical treatment found that bariatric surgery was effective in achieving diabetes remission, particularly for those with short-term type 2 diabetes. In contrast, conventional medical therapy did not lead to significant improvements in diabetes-related outcomes.
A high level of skill and knowledge is necessary to optimize patient outcomes in bariatric surgical patients. The journal Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care emphasizes the need for consistent care with current evidence and best practices.
A new study found that robotic-assisted surgery for bladder cancer results in fewer deaths, in-patient complications, and reduced need for intravenous nutrition compared to traditional open surgeries. However, the procedure is more costly due to longer operation times and greater use of disposable instruments.
Patients diagnosed with aortic stenosis who are too sick for open-heart surgery have better survival rates and an improved quality of life after undergoing catheter-based heart valve replacement. The minimally invasive procedure adds years to life and life to years, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea who undergo multilevel surgery have a higher risk of airway compromise postoperatively. Closely monitoring these patients in the recovery or high-dependency area after surgery is recommended.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that total extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty (TEP) associated with lower chronic pain and improved sensation after inguinal hernia repair. However, TEP was linked to a higher incidence of operative complications.
Patients with high alcohol screening scores experience longer hospital stays, more ICU days, and increased return to the operating room compared to low-risk drinkers. Preoperative alcohol screening may identify patients at risk for increased postoperative healthcare resource usage.
Patients who underwent mitral valve repair along with bypass surgery had improved exercise capacity and reduced heart size compared to those who received bypass surgery alone. Blood markers associated with heart failure also showed improvement for dual-procedure patients.
Two U.S. Army studies found that patients with a history of shoulder instability are more likely to experience future instability, while arthroscopic surgery has better outcomes than open repairs. The studies also identified risk factors associated with surgical failure and found that arthroscopic Bankart repair has a lower failure rate.
Experts from NYU Langone Medical Center will present their latest research on diseases of the muscle, tendon, bone, and joint. The focus includes reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, platelet-rich fibrin matrix for rotator cuff healing, and effects of partial medial meniscectomy on tibiofemoral position and stability.
The University of Louisville has introduced a new transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) procedure to treat severe aortic stenosis, allowing patients to avoid traditional open-heart surgery. The procedure involves implanting a biological valve through a catheter and expanding it with a balloon.
A meta-analysis of studies found that PCIs at centers with and without on-site surgery have similar rates of in-hospital mortality and emergency CABG surgery. However, additional outcome data are still needed to fully understand the risks associated with non-primary PCI at centers without on-site surgery.
A study of 189,533 patients found that a BMI below 23.1 increased mortality risk by 40% compared to mid-range BMIs. Patients undergoing certain procedures, such as exploratory laparotomy, were also at higher risk of death.
A national study led by Johns Hopkins cardiologist Thomas Aversano found that nonemergency angioplasty can be performed safely at hospitals without cardiac surgery backup, with low rates of complications and death. The study compared over 18,500 patients who underwent heart artery-opening angioplasty or stenting at hospitals with or wi...
A new surgical care bundle of 12 measures, including smoking cessation and gown change prior to skin closure, reduced Whipple procedure wound infections by 49% compared to a less comprehensive routine preoperative preparation. The measures also included intraoperative wound edge protection and chlorhexidine-alcohol skin preparation.
Patients with herniated lumbar disc symptoms who waited over six months to undergo treatment had poorer outcomes compared to those who treated their symptoms within six months. Surgical treatment, in particular, was found to be significantly more effective than nonoperative treatment, regardless of symptom duration.
A study analyzing data from over 268,000 patients reveals that those with IBD undergoing surgery have a two-fold increased risk of developing DVT or PE. The findings suggest standard DVT and PE prophylaxis should be reconsidered for this patient group
The study found that nearly one in five patients underwent a surgical procedure in the last month of life, and nearly 1 in 10 had a procedure in their last week. The likelihood of surgery varied by age, location, and hospital bed availability, suggesting that some operations may be discretionary or avoidable.
A recent study found that older patient age, congestive heart failure, and preoperative neurological problems are independent risk factors for death and complications after spine surgery. The study analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.
A UK study reveals that long-term complications after bariatric surgery should be thoroughly assessed and investigated. A Finnish study finds that bariatric surgery is a more cost-effective way to treat morbid obesity than non-operative care, with reduced healthcare costs and improved quality of life.
Patients undergoing open colorectal surgery may be at nearly twice the risk of developing venous thromboembolism compared to those undergoing laparoscopic procedures. A recent study analyzed data from over 149,000 patients and found a significant difference in VTE rates between the two methods.
Rapid treatment with medication and surgical procedures is crucial for stroke patients, reducing recurrence risk by 20%. Rehabilitation care has improved significantly over the past two decades, but evidence gaps remain, particularly in addressing mobility and speech impairments.
A randomized trial found women are at more than double the short-term risk of stroke following carotid stenting compared to traditional surgery. This study suggests that sex should be considered when choosing treatment options for carotid disease, as men show little difference in stroke risk between procedures.