First-of-its-Kind Study Examines the Impact of Cannabis Use on Surgical Patients’ Post-Procedure Healthcare Needs

In patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery in Boston between 2008 and 2020, those with a diagnosed cannabis use disorder more often required advanced postprocedural healthcare compared to non-users. However, patients whose use of cannabis was not classified as a disorder had lower odds of requiring advanced healthcare after surgery compared to patients who never use cannabis.

Increased Precision and Safety in Spinal Tap with PASS – An Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Puncture Procedure

PASS (Point-Assisted Spinal Sonography), an ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture device from Chula doctors and engineers, helps increase the precision and confidence in spinal tap procedures while reducing risks and pain for patients.

Controlling Cholesterol in Microglia Alleviates Chronic Pain, Opioid-Free

Chemotherapy can induce a painful peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a chronic condition and common adverse effect for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues elsewhere, have used a mouse model to demonstrate the pivotal role of cholesterol in CIPN, and proposed a novel therapeutic approach to reverse it.

Restarting and Expanding Elective Surgery After COVID-19: Special Webinar Panel Hosted by American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)

A multidisciplinary panel of experts including a surgeon, hospital executive, nurse executive and physician anesthesiologist will address attendees during a special webinar titled, “Challenges and Strategies in Restarting and Expanding Elective Surgery After COVID-19.” The panel will review the joint statement “Roadmap for Resuming Elective Surgery after COVID-19 Pandemic” and provide individual perspectives and information on patient/case priority, patient/family comfort, testing and workforce issues, personal protective equipment, sites of care, workforce resiliency and “go forward” plans, including reimbursement, regulatory needs and financial control. ASA has been facilitating and steering health care institutions in their efforts to return to surgery and get back to business.