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High-risk patients account for 80% of post-surgery deaths

A major new study found that high-risk patients, who tend to be older and live with several long-term health conditions, have poor outcomes after surgery. The study highlights the need for greater investment in specialist perioperative services to focus on the care of older, high-risk patients before, during and after surgery.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 25, 2026

Complexity key to preventing infection after heart surgery

Researchers from Duke University found that uniform materials without complexity are the culprit behind deadly infections after heart surgery. Bioengineered grafts with decellularized tissue can greatly reduce complications. The study suggests designing new solutions similar to vascular tissue in interior complexity.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiomedical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

How to “green” operating rooms: new guideline advises reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink

A new guideline published in CMAJ advises hospitals to implement 21 recommendations to increase environmental sustainability in operating rooms. The guidelines include reducing energy use, using reusable devices, developing recycling programs, and rethinking disposal of unused supplies.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 9, 2026

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal study probes how skull implant design may shape surgical outcomes

A retrospective analysis of 94 adult patients who underwent PEEK cranioplasty found that surface architecture may influence postoperative healing, with smooth implants associated with higher rates of wound complications and infections. Perforated implants showed lower rates of major fluid collections, especially in trauma patients.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 2, 2026

Pusan National University researchers develop light-activated tissue adhesive patch for rapid, watertight neurosurgical sealing

Researchers have developed a breakthrough light-responsive Janus dural patch using photocurable hyaluronic acid, providing strong wet adhesion and preventing unwanted tissue adhesion. The patch seals wounds within five seconds with minimal swelling and high biocompatibility.

SourcePusan National University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2026

Health issues linked to cosmetic jab complications

A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that patients with underlying conditions such as type 1 diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of complications from cosmetic botulinum toxin injections. The researchers recommend restricting administration to medically qualified professionals.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalAesthetic Surgery Journal·TypeSurvey·DateJan 9, 2026

High PD-L1 expression correlates with lymph node metastasis in patients who have undergone radical surgery for primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma

A study found that high PD-L1 levels are associated with increased risk of lymph node metastasis and poorer recurrence-free survival rates in patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. This suggests that PD-L1 expression may serve as a potential indicator for early postoperative recurrence.

SourceNational Center for Respiratory Medicine·JournalJournal of Thoracic Disease·DateDec 28, 2025

Rangsit University study shows simple bypass protocol improves outcomes in chronic cerebral occlusion

A study from Rangsit University shows that a simple bypass protocol guided by mean transit time can improve symptoms in 80% of patients with chronic cerebral occlusion or moyamoya disease. The protocol uses non-stress testing to evaluate cerebrovascular reserve and predict postoperative improvement.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2025

Total tubeless single-port thoracoscopic wedge resection: a safe and effective approach for treating peripheral pulmonary nodules

This study evaluates the safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction of total tubeless single-port thoracoscopic wedge resection in comparison to partial tubeless surgery. The results show that this minimally invasive technique has a shorter operative time with minimal impact on postoperative outcomes.

SourceNational Center for Respiratory Medicine·JournalJournal of Thoracic Disease·DateNov 14, 2025

Biomaterial vaccines to make implanted orthopedic devices safer

Researchers have developed a novel vaccine strategy using biomaterial scaffold vaccines to protect against Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopedic device implants. The vaccines, made with immune cell-attaching molecules and S. aureus-specific antigens, create a beneficial immune response that significantly lowers bacterial burden.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2025

Tiny 3D printer reconstructs tissues during vocal cord surgery

A team of biomechanical engineers and surgeons has developed a 3D-printing soft robot that can accurately deliver hydrogels to the vocal cord surgical site. The device, which is only 2.7 mm in size, can reconstruct tissues removed during surgery and potentially prevent fibrosis and stiffening of the vocal cords.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2025

Identifying safer implant designs for total hip replacement

A study reveals that collared fully HA-coated femoral stems reduce the risk of early postoperative femoral fractures in total hip replacement patients, but also increase intraoperative complications. The findings suggest these stems may be a safer choice for surgeons when deciding on implant selection.

SourceChiba University·JournalThe Bone & Joint Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 28, 2025

New nanomaterial helps patients with kidney stones

Researchers have developed a new nanomaterial solution that improves the efficiency of existing lasers in removing kidney stones, reducing damage to surrounding tissue and potentially shortening surgeries. The solution involves adding dark nanoparticles to saline, which absorbs laser wavelengths and keeps the laser focused on the stone.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 28, 2025

A pill that prints

A team from EPFL's School of Engineering has created MEDS, a pill-sized bioprinter that can guide bio-ink into damaged tissues in the gastrointestinal tract for repair. In experiments, the device successfully repaired artificial ulcers and sealed simulated hemorrhages.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 16, 2025

Disconnected cerebral hemisphere in epilepsy patients shows sleep-like state during wakefulness

A study published in PLOS Biology found that surgically disconnected neural tissue in epilepsy patients exhibits slow-wave patterns similar to those observed during deep sleep or anesthesia, suggesting absent or reduced awareness. The persistence of these patterns raises questions about the functional role of slow waves in the brain.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 16, 2025

Weight loss treatments for people with diabetes and obesity could lower the risk of obesity-related cancers

A new study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism found that weight loss treatments, including medication and surgical procedures, may help lower the risk of obesity-related cancers in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed data from over 180,000 people and found a significant reduction in cancer incidence ...

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalDiabetes Obesity and Metabolism·TypeObservational study·DateSep 24, 2025

New models address problems related to timing, scheduling of surgeries, capacity planning, and patients’ stays in recovery units

Researchers developed an integrated approach to solve the elective surgery assignment, sequencing, and scheduling problem (ESASSP), reducing delays and costs. The study suggests that hospitals can benefit from computationally efficient solutions to minimize operational costs and maximize resource utilization.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research·DateSep 23, 2025

Patients in the world’s least developed countries three times more likely to die after abdominal trauma surgery

A study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals stark global inequalities in survival after emergency abdominal surgery for traumatic injuries. Patients in the world's least developed countries are more than three times likely to die within 30 days of surgery compared to those in the most developed nations.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateSep 16, 2025

CHEST releases guideline on management of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

The American College of Chest Physicians has released a clinical guideline on the management of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for primary treatment and outlines three flowchart graphs outlining the recommended course of treatment based on patient risk. These ...

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·JournalCHEST Journal·DateJul 29, 2025

Improved prognosis for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension over recent decades

Recent studies have revealed significant improvements in patient prognosis for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) over the past few decades. Advances in surgical techniques, drug development, and multimodal therapies have led to increased treatment rates and improved survival rates among patients.

SourceNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateJul 14, 2025

Optimizing surgical strategies through a nationwide trial: insights from a Chinese Neurosurgical Journal study

A landmark national study in China identifies the most effective treatment strategies for unruptured brain aneurysms, analyzing over 874,000 clinical entries and 42,000 radiological scans. The trial aims to guide patient-specific treatment strategies and inform healthcare planning in China's aging population.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 30, 2025