Articles tagged with Surgical Procedures
A study published in the Academy of General Dentistry reveals that stopping antiplatelet medications before dental procedures increases the risk of permanent disability or death. Dentists can help patients by discussing treatment risks and benefits with their physicians.
Researchers found that episodes of dizziness in patients with Ménière's disease decrease over time. Surgery to drain fluid from the inner ear also appears to reduce vertigo in three-fourths of patients, according to a new study.
A study of 130 children with suspected musculoskeletal infections found that pre-treatment MRI can avoid unnecessary diagnostic or surgical procedures. Early MRI evaluation can reduce the need for procedures, even if there's a delay in diagnosis or sedation required.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a decline in cosmetic surgical procedures due to the economic downturn, with regions like Northeast and Southeast being most affected. In contrast, minimally invasive procedures like Botox, chemical peels, and hyaluronic fillers have seen an increased demand.
The HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study found that top-rated hospitals have a significantly lower mortality rate, with an average of 14.17% improvement from 2005 to 2007. If all hospitals performed at the level of five-star rated hospitals, 237,420 Medicare deaths could potentially be prevented.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that unsponsored web sites have significantly higher quality information compared to commercially sponsored ones. The researchers suggest that surgeons can help patients find reliable information by providing them with technical search terms.
A retrospective study of 103 carotid endarterectomies in 95 patients aged 80-94 found a low incidence of neurologic complications. The combined stroke and death rate was 2.91 percent, indicating that age alone should not disqualify patients from this surgery.
Surgeons at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center combined three innovative minimally invasive spine surgery procedures to correct spinal curvature in adults. The procedures involved accessing damaged disc material, replacing it with spacers filled with bone and a protein that promotes fusion.
A study conducted by researchers at Emory University and Johns Hopkins University found that chronic infection is the primary cause of tonsillectomy in adults. Over 50% of adult patients who underwent the procedure had chronic infection as a contributing factor, while no trends in complications emerged.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center developed a minimally invasive procedure to bypass narrowed aortic valves in high-risk elderly patients. The study showed that this procedure can be performed safely without stopping the heart and offers effective treatment for those who were previously considered too frail for s...
A team of urologists has successfully used robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery to repair abnormal openings between the bladder and vagina, known as fistulas. The procedure resulted in less blood loss and faster recovery times compared to traditional abdominal surgery, offering a promising alternative for women with this condition.
A study found that smoking is associated with a higher rate of bleeding in patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tonsillectomy. Smokers experienced a 10.9% post-operative hemorrhage rate, compared to 3.3% for non-smokers.
Top-rated hospitals have significantly higher volumes and lower complication rates for bariatric surgeries. The study found that patients treated at five-star rated hospitals have a 41% lower chance of experiencing one or more inhospital complications compared to three-star rated facilities.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that office-based plastic surgery is as safe as hospital-based surgery, with a mortality rate of 0.002 percent. The study reviewed over 1.1 million procedures performed in accredited outpatient facilities.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons predicts over 55 million cosmetic surgery procedures will be performed in 2015, a quadruple increase from 2005. Non-surgical procedures are expected to drive growth, with 88% of ASPS Member Surgeon procedures being non-surgical.
The study found that implementing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair reduces overall mortality in patients. Older patients and those who are hemodynamically stable experience the largest improvements in survival, shifting high-risk patients to this treatment option.
Researchers found that total hip replacements improve physical functioning and increase ability to care for oneself in seniors with osteoarthritis. The study also showed cost savings for the healthcare system due to reduced long-term disability costs.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that the Z-plasty technique significantly improves nasal airflow and reduces recovery time compared to traditional open rhinoplasty. The minimally invasive procedure shows promise as an effective treatment option for patients with internal nasal valve collapse.
Researchers presented preliminary results of a prospective randomized controlled trial showing NOTES to be equally successful as traditional laparoscopic surgery, but taking longer. The study also demonstrated complex surgeries can be performed via the mouth using flexible endoscopes.
The study found that in-hospital death rates following CABG decreased from 5.4% in 1988 to 3.3% in 2003, with hospitals performing the fewest procedures experiencing the largest decreases. This suggests that quality care practices have improved everywhere, regardless of hospital volume.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that carotid stenting with embolic protection is as safe and effective as surgery for patients at high risk for endarterectomy. The SAPPHIRE study showed equivalent stroke and repeat procedure outcomes between the two groups.
A study of 703 burn patients found that younger age, neck or arm burns, and surgical procedures increased the risk of abnormal scarring. Females and those with multiple surgeries had a higher risk of pathologic scarring.
A symposium in the journal SURGERY explores how surgeons can turn research ideas into commercially viable products that benefit patients and generate financial returns. The symposium emphasizes the importance of collaboration between surgeons and industry, while navigating issues such as conflict of interest.
The 2008 HealthGrades America's 50 Best Hospitals list identifies top-performing facilities with superior patient outcomes, including an average 27% lower mortality rate compared to all other US hospitals. These elite hospitals demonstrate consistent quality care across multiple procedures and diagnoses.
The annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study identifies top hospitals nationwide with a 27% lower risk of inpatient mortality. Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence have consistently delivered high-quality care across various specialties, reducing complications by an average of five percent.
Researchers analyzed data from over 45,000 Medicare beneficiaries treated for AAA and found that EVAR has a lower mortality rate than open repair, with a significant benefit for elderly patients. While EVAR may require more reinterventions, the risks are balanced by late complications of open repair.
A new study found that combining coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) reduces the likelihood of subsequent heart problems by 24%, compared to 55% for CABG alone. SVR improves heart function, enabling patients to stay active and participate in daily activities without exhaustion.
Recent studies have compared carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in high-risk patients, yielding comparable results. However, its role in 'low-risk' patients remains unclear, with ongoing trials needed to determine the best approach.
The number of bariatric surgeries performed worldwide has surged fivefold in five years, with mounting evidence suggesting the procedure reduces mortality in morbidly obese individuals. Research highlights the benefits of surgery on obesity-related comorbidities and psychological well-being.
A study found a long-term positive impact on physical functioning in patients with osteoarthritis who underwent hip replacement, but no significant improvement in vitality or mental health. Patients with more severe OA showed the most improvement in physical functioning.
A study of over 300 live kidney donors found that they had good kidney function and tended to suffer a lower incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart-related deaths compared to the general population. Donors reported high satisfaction rates and would strongly encourage others to become donors if needed.
A study by researchers at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Johns Hopkins University found that intraoperative MRI can help detect residual disease and modify surgical plans, leading to additional resections in 73% of cases. The added imaging time was approximately 35 minutes per case.
A study found that surgical confusions in eye surgery are rare but can be serious, with the majority of cases involving incorrect lens implants. The Universal Protocol can prevent most confusions, suggesting a rate of 69 errors per 1 million eye operations.
A recent study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that government-imposed restrictions on bariatric surgeries in the US significantly limit access to these life-saving procedures for low-income and underinsured populations. Despite high-volume centers performing better, low-volume centers with higher-risk patients achieve co...
Researchers found equivalent survival rates for angioplasty and bypass surgery, refuting previous reports on diabetic patients. Bypass surgery led to fewer repeat procedures and more effective angina relief.
The HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study found a 71% lower mortality rate at top-rated hospitals compared to the lowest-rated hospitals across 18 procedures and conditions. Improvements were seen in procedures like pancreatitis, pulmonary embolism, and diabetic acidosis and coma.
A combination of capsaicin and QX-314 selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats, blocking pain without impairing movement or other sensations. The treatment has great potential to improve pain treatment during childbirth, dental procedures, and surgery, offering a promising alternative to current nerve blocks.
Researchers found that TP10 significantly reduced complement levels during surgery, but there was no significant difference in mortality between groups. The study suggests that female patients may have special mechanisms protecting them from complement activation during open-heart surgery.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that smokers experience greater residual gum recession after periodontal plastic surgery. The two-year study showed smokers had less desirable long-term outcomes compared to non-smokers. Quitting smoking before oral surgery can improve treatment success, according to experts.
A study of 12 patients undergoing male-to-female gender reassignment found that nasal surgery resulted in more feminine facial profiles. The procedure was highly effective, with most patients very satisfied with the results and reporting significant improvements in their overall perception of themselves as female.
A French surgical team successfully performed a cholecystectomy through the vagina in a 30-year-old woman, eliminating the need for external incisions. The patient recovered promptly with no postoperative pain or scars.
Researchers are developing robotic instruments that can navigate the chambers of the heart through needle-sized incisions and deploy tools to remove blockages, repair faulty valves and close leaks while the heart is still beating.
Researchers examine hypertrophic scar formation, current treatments, and promising research areas to advance the field. Current treatments for hypertrophic scarring are estimated to cost at least $4 billion annually in the US.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that recombinant human thrombin reduces surgical complications and stops bleeding in 95 percent of patients within 10 minutes. The treatment also has a lower risk of antibody development compared to current standard blood-clotting treatments.
The study found that patients at 5-star hospitals had a 64% lower chance of developing major complications compared to those at 1-star hospitals. High-volume hospitals also performed laparoscopic procedures more frequently, resulting in shorter hospital stays.
A study of 65 tonsillectomy patients found no ongoing dysfunction in their sense of taste after surgery. Despite average ratings of taste and smell decreasing post-surgery, none reported persistent problems, suggesting other factors like pain or discomfort may influence ratings.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have successfully integrated minimally invasive lung surgery into their training programs with a standardized plan, increasing procedures by 57% over four years. The minimally invasive lobectomy results in faster recovery time and less pain for patients.
A team of Johns Hopkins undergraduates has invented a handheld metal detector to aid in the removal of orthopedic screws from patients' bodies. The device emits a tone that rises in pitch as the surgeon moves closer to the screw, guiding them to hidden hardware.
The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) reduces postoperative complications through comparative risk-adjusted adverse event data and prediction models. Studies show significant reductions in wound, surgical site infections, and urinary tract infections using ACS NSQIP.
A nationwide study compared two surgical procedures for urinary stress incontinence, finding the fascial sling procedure significantly more effective than the Burch colposuspension technique. The SISTEr trial involved 655 women and found overall success rates of 47% for the sling procedure versus 38% for the Burch procedure.
For patients who need non-cardiac surgery a short time after an interventional heart procedure, bare metal stents provide a safer choice. Drug-eluting stents can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications in these patients, according to a study by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Researchers found comparable risks of major cardiac events within 30 days and similar outcomes three years after treatment. Drug-eluting stents were shown to be as effective as bypass surgery in restoring blood flow, with improved survival rates in lower-risk patients.
A survey of 500 Medicare patients found that physicians served as the main decision-makers one-third of the time, with men and those in worse health more likely to report this. The study highlights the need for further research on patient involvement in surgical decision-making.
Wernicke encephalopathy, a serious neurological condition, is increasingly reported after obesity surgery due to vitamin deficiency and vomiting. Patients should be alert for symptoms such as confusion, lack of coordination, and visual changes.
The rate of bariatric surgeries among adolescents more than tripled between 2000 and 2003, with only 771 teens undergoing the procedure in 2003. Most obese teens are still treated through diet and behavioral methods, but health problems related to weight make surgery an increasingly considered option.
A new study by Dr. Vivian Ho found that Certificate of Need regulations have minor benefits for open heart surgery but no benefits for angioplasty. The regulations may inadvertently increase the number of procedures performed to meet minimum volume quotas.
A study published in JAMA found that off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery had no effect on cognitive decline and cardiac outcomes at 5 years in low-risk patients. Cognitive decline ranged from under 5% to over 30% in the first year after CABG surgery.
Atrial fibrillation affects over 2.2 million US citizens, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and stroke risk; the new Cox-maze IV procedure offers a simpler alternative to traditional surgery with fewer complications
The HealthGrades study reveals top hospitals have a significantly lower risk of mortality and complications compared to other hospitals. With an average 28% lower risk of mortality for certain procedures, these high-performing hospitals are setting a new standard for clinical excellence.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that brief preoperation team meetings can increase awareness of OR safety and perceptions of operating room personnel. The surveys showed a 13.2% increase in those who believed the policy would be effective and over 90% agreed that team discussions are important for patient safety.