Articles tagged with Surgical Procedures
Glaucoma surgical procedures have been increasing, but Medicare payments for the procedures have been decreasing. The analysis found that average payments for trabeculoplasties decreased over time, while annual payments for cyclodestructive procedures and shunt-related procedures increased.
A new study published in JAMA found that tubular diskectomy, a minimally invasive procedure for treating sciatica, does not provide a significant difference in improvement of functional disability compared to conventional microdiskectomy. Patients who underwent tubular diskectomy fared worse with regard to leg and back pain.
The HealthGrades study identifies hospitals with significantly better maternity care outcomes, including a 76% lower C-section complication rate. The best-performing hospitals also showed a 33% improvement in mortality and morbidity for women's health procedures.
A large-scale analysis of nearly 60,000 patients found bariatric surgery to be relatively safe with complication rates around 10% and a total mortality rate under 1%. The study's findings indicate improved safety measures in modern weight-loss surgery.
Studies found that glove perforation increased surgical site infection rates by 10%, with no association when antibiotics were used. Implementing measures like double gloving and glove replacement can decrease perforation risk.
The study reveals an average waiting time of 5 years for bariatric surgery in Canada, a significantly longer timeframe compared to other surgical procedures. Bariatric surgery has been shown to reduce the risk of death by up to 85% and can save lives.
A Mayo Clinic study found that short preoperative team briefings can improve communication and reduce errors in cardiac surgery. The briefings were conducted prior to the first procedure of the day and resulted in a 53% reduction in miscommunication events.
The Olympus platform enables surgeons to perform gallbladder removal, hernia repair, appendectomy, and urological or gynecological surgery through a single incision in the belly button. The TriPort access system and EndoEYE technology provide high-quality images and flexibility for minimal trauma.
A study analyzing 19,363 patients found no significant difference in mortality rates or complications between bariatric surgery centers of excellence and other hospitals. However, these centers performed more procedures annually, resulting in higher costs per patient.
The American College of Surgeons has recognized Mayo Clinic's two Minnesota hospitals, Rochester Methodist and Saint Marys, for achieving exemplary outcomes in five clinical areas. These hospitals demonstrated high quality of surgical care through tracking patient outcomes and implementing safety improvements.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that a warm-up of 15-20 minutes with simple surgical exercises improves proficiency and alertness in surgeons. The research shows that warm-up exercises can benefit even fatigued surgeons, leading to better performance during operations.
According to the HealthGrades Seventh Annual Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study, patients treated at top-rated hospitals experience a 27% lower risk of death compared to those at other hospitals. These high-performing institutions also have an eight percent lower risk of complications during their stay.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that managed-care plans did not improve the quality or outcome of care for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. The study examined data from over 11,400 cases and found no difference in rates of inappropriate surgery between managed-care and fee-for-service plans.
A study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center suggests that decompressive surgery without fusion for spinal stenosis offers good value and that fusion surgery for spondylolithesis offers less value. The study analyzed over 3,900 patients and found that laminectomy costs $77,000 per QALY gained, while spinal fusion surgery co...
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.