Innovative surgery preserves limb growth for childhood bone cancer patients

Arlette Chavez was a typical 3-year-old who loved jumping on the bed, riding her bike, and playing tag, said her mother, Lesly Rivera. When this active preschooler started complaining of pain in her left arm, Ms. Rivera and her husband, Carlos Chavez, weren’t overly concerned – it was probably a minor injury, they reasoned. But when an X-ray revealed a tumor on her left humerus, the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow, a biopsy soon confirmed that Arlette had a rare bone and soft tissue cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma. It is diagnosed in only about 200 children and teens each year in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society.

Bascom Palmer Receives Multimillion Dollar Award to Support Functional Whole-Eye Transplant

Researchers with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute are tackling the formidable task of surgically recovering a live human eye and maintaining its function for vision restoration through organ transplantation.

Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: A Modern Approach to Breast Cancer Surgery

Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (NSM) is a surgical option for patients requiring a mastectomy, in which the breast tissue is removed while the skin, nipple, and areola remain intact. This procedure allows for immediate reconstruction and offers a more natural post-surgery result, giving patients both peace of mind and a sense of body confidence. M. Michele Blackwood, MD, FACS, director of Breast Surgery and director of Women’s Oncologic Health, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute shares more on this surgical technique.

UTSW’s Simmons Cancer Center awarded more than $11.5 million in CPRIT funding

Eight scientists and physicians in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern have been awarded more than $11.5 million in grants from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to support the state’s fight against cancer.

Plastic surgery patients who use marijuana also have elevated nicotine levels

Marijuana use is common among patients considering plastic surgery and is associated with elevated nicotine levels on laboratory tests, reports a paper in the September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

Social media use may help to empower plastic surgery patients

For patients considering or undergoing plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) procedures, using social media to gather information and answer questions can enhance patient empowerment – potentially leading to increased autonomy and better decision-making, reports a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Nerve decompression shows promise for diabetic neuropathy patients

Surgical nerve decompression, used to treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica, could play a role in relieving the pain of diabetic neuropathy patients, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found.

After body contouring, bariatric surgery patients regain more weight than non-bariatric patients

Patients with previous bariatric surgery who undergo body contouring (BC) regain more weight at long-term follow-up, compared to BC patients who did not have bariatric surgery, reports a study in the November issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Social media and low self-compassion behind rise in cosmetic surgery

When Kylie Jenner famously admitted that her signature pout was the result of lip fillers, there was a significant increase in interest and uptake of the cosmetic procedure. That’s the power of social media. But why is social media so persuasive and what is driving young women’s attitudes to cosmetic surgery?

UT Southwestern researchers discover critical protein for common bone growth disorder

A team led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has discovered a protein that appears to be pivotal for traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO), a condition in which bone forms in muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues after traumatic injury or surgery. The findings, published in Science Advances, could yield new ways to prevent this common complication, the researchers say.

Checking out plastic surgeons on Instagram? Your perception may be biased

Social media sites – especially Instagram – have revolutionized the way plastic surgeons market their practice. These platforms allow surgeons to post testimonials, educational videos, and before-and-after photos. This information can help to guide patients in making decisions about whether to undergo cosmetic surgery and which plastic surgeon to choose, based on factors like the surgeon’s experience and results achieved.

Chula Unveils World-Class Innovative Prosthesis Made by Thais

April 9, 2021 – Chula holds the 4th CHULA the Impact Seminar entitled “World–Class Innovative Prosthesis Made by Thais” showcasing the capabilities of Chula researchers from Chula Engineering Enterprises

Penn Launches Region’s First Interdisciplinary Center Focused on Treating Nerve Disorders

Today, Penn Medicine launches the Penn Nerve Center, which unites experts across disciplines to offer expert diagnosis and cutting-edge treatment for a wide range of nerve conditions including traumatic nerve injuries, nerve entrapment, nerve compression, and nerve tumors. Combining experts in neurosurgery, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, physical medicine and rehab, neurology, and radiology, the Center is the first of its kind in the region.

Childhood Car Crash Inspires UC San Diego Alumni to Donate to Pediatric Research

UC San Diego alumni make a gift of $1 million towards first-of-its-kind pediatric research. The Cathy and Richard Tryon Pediatric Facial/Psychological Trauma Research Fund will support research at UC San Diego to benefit pediatric patients who have suffered from traumatic facial deformities.

Penn Medicine Surgeons Develop Universal Patient-Reported Outcomes Tool to Improve Hernia Care

Penn Medicine researchers have successfully developed, tested, and implemented a first-of-its-kind, patient-informed questionnaire tool for ventral hernia repair surgery patients that could be broadly used to improve the way clinicians care for patients and potentially outcomes.

Plastic Surgeon Matthew S. Coons, M.D., FACS Joins Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Group

Mountainside Medical Group announced today that plastic surgeon Matthew S. Coons, M.D., FACS, has joined the practice.

Dr. Coons is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His interests also include hand surgery and reconstructive surgery with an emphasis on breast reconstruction.

Surgery Restores Eye Muscle Function to Patients With Facial Paralysis

DALLAS – July 21, 2020 – Surgeons at UT Southwestern have developed and analyzed the benefits of a cutting-edge technique that provides patients with facial paralysis the ability to close their eyes. They concluded that the surgery – which is only performed at a handful of institutions around the world, including UTSW – not only allowed patients to blink and voluntarily close their eyes, but also protected them against the progressive damage to the cornea that’s typically seen with facial paralysis.

Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every Tuesday throughout the duration of the outbreak.