A study has found no association between prescription glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist medications and increased risk of aspiration or pneumonia in surgery patients.
Tag: Surgery
Fatty food before surgery may impair memory in old, young adults
Eating fatty food in the days leading up to surgery may prompt a heightened inflammatory response in the brain that interferes for weeks with memory-related cognitive function in older adults – and, new research in animals suggests, even in young adults.
FDA Approves Semaglutide for Heart Disease Prevention
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug semaglutide, commonly known as Wegovy or Ozempic, to be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in adults with heart disease and obesity. Eric…
Weight loss and diabetes management drug linked to increased residual gastric content before anesthesia
Safety concerns for patients undergoing anesthesia who use glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which are medications approved for diabetes and weight management, were revealed in a UTHealth Houston study published today in JAMA Surgery.
Risk of hospital readmission after surgery is high for older Americans
A new Yale study finds an increased risk of hospital readmission for older Americans within 180 days of undergoing major surgery — a risk that is particularly acute for individuals who are frail or have dementia.
Is surgery the best option for ruptured Achilles tendons in young adults?
Achilles tendon ruptures are normally treated with surgical procedures, but there are other options with equal outcomes
Two Texas transplant programs team up to save lives
Two hard-to-match transplant patients 250 miles apart are starting 2024 on a new path to healthy lives.
Re-excision rates after breast-conserving surgery pose ongoing challenges in the US: UTHealth Houston study unveils high reoperation rates and costs
Rates of re-excision after initial breast-conserving surgery in women with breast cancer remain high across the United States, leading to an increased cost of care and a higher risk of postoperative complications, according to new research from UTHealth Houston.
UNC Hospitals Performs First Domino Liver Transplant in Decades
Chirag Desai, MD, FACS, an abdominal organ transplant and hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgeon at UNC Hospitals, performed a “domino” liver transplant, which helped two patients from a single donor without splitting a liver.
Surgeons’ choice of skin disinfectant impacts infection risk, Canadian-American study shows
Researchers of the PREPARE trial, which enrolled nearly 8,500 participants at 25 hospitals in Canada and the United States, found the use of iodine povacrylex in alcohol to disinfect a patient’s skin could prevent surgical site infection in thousands of patients undergoing surgery for a closed fracture each year.
Global health efforts in urology still a major focus for Joseph Smith Jr., MD
World-renowned urologic surgeon Joseph Smith Jr., MD, remembers doing global humanitarian work in the eastern Congo many years ago with world-renowned gynecologist and human rights activist Denis Mukwege, MD, PhD, who was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.
Worries about costs, time off work and COVID-19 kept some older adults from having surgery
When it comes to having surgery, older adults don’t just base their decision on how much pain they’ll feel and how quickly they’ll recover, a new study finds.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center is the First New Jersey Hospital Utilizing the Leading-Edge ARTIS icono Angiography Imaging System
The Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center recently added the new Siemens Healthineers ARTIS icono biplane system to its interventional imaging services thanks to an extraordinarily generous gift from Mrs. Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation.
Dr. Jonathan Woodson Is Fourth Recipient of American College of Surgeons Distinguished Lifetime Military Contribution Award
Retired USAR Major General Dr. Jonathan Woodson, MD, MSS, FACS, MG, MC, was honored with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Distinguished Lifetime Military Contribution Award during the ACS Clinical Congress 2023.
Last Chance: Register in Advance for Media Credentials to Cover American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2023
Members of the media can still apply to cover the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2023.
San Antonio Surgeon Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, Will Receive Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Surgeons
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, FACS, a trauma surgeon from San Antonio, Texas, will receive this year’s Distinguished Service Award of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
MD Anderson Research Highlights: ESMO 2023 Special Edition
This special edition features upcoming oral presentations by MD Anderson researchers at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress focused on clinical advances across a variety of cancer types.
Opioid use disorder treatment associated with decreased risk of overdose after surgery, suggests first-of-its-kind study of over 4 million surgeries
Although people with opioid use disorder (OUD) are significantly more likely to overdose or have a complication after major surgery than those without the disorder, using medications for the treatment of OUD before surgery may eliminate that extra risk, suggests a large, first-of-its-kind study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2023 annual meeting.
Opioid limits didn’t change surgery patients’ experience, study shows
Worries that surgery patients would have a tougher recovery if their doctors had to abide by a five-day limit on opioid pain medication prescriptions didn’t play out as expected, a new study finds.
Instead, patient-reported pain levels and satisfaction didn’t change at all for Michigan adults who had their appendix or gallbladder removed, a hernia repaired, a hysterectomy or other common operations after the state’s largest insurer put the limit in place, the study shows.
Results: Study Explores Pre-Operative Radiation Boost for Breast Cancer Patients
New Brunswick, N.J., October 3, 2023 – For breast cancer patients undergoing a lumpectomy, a type of breast cancer surgery in which the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue called the margin is removed, the standard mode of treatment…
Surgical Scorecards May Cut Cost of Surgical Procedures Without Impacting Outcomes
A tool for evaluating the overall cost of a surgical procedure, called a scorecard, helps reduce costs of surgical procedures between 5% and 20% without adversely affecting clinical outcomes.
October 2023 Issue of Neurosurgical Focus: “Management and Controversies of Antithrombotic Medication in Neurosurgery”
Announcement of contents of the October 2023 issue of Neurosurgical Focus
A New AI Model Has Been Developed to Improve Accuracy of Breast Cancer Tumor Removal
Researchers in the UNC School of Medicine have developed an AI model that can predict whether or not cancerous tissue has been fully removed from the body during breast cancer surgery.
New focal therapies at UTHealth Houston make prostate cancer treatment easier on patients
Tissue-sparing treatments using focal therapy, aimed to avoid side effects like urinary incontinence, are becoming available for prostate cancer patients like Morton McPhail of Texas.
The Latest in Science and Medical Advancement in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery to be Presented at AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting
The latest research and advances in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery will be presented in Nashville, Tennessee, during the AAO-HNSF 2023 Annual Meeting & OTO Experience, September 30 – October 4.
Inflammation may influence weight loss surgery outcomes, new study reveals
Research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has shown that higher levels of inflammation in the blood of patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery predicts poorer weight loss six months after the procedure.
Be cautious to avoid burns in extreme heat or when grilling
With triple-digit temperatures continuing across many parts of the country and the outdoor grilling season still in full swing, a UT Southwestern Medical Center physician who specializes in burn care wants to remind people to be careful around hot surfaces such as a grill or a playground slide.
Study reveals surgeons need to improve how they communicate with patients about innovative procedures
Patients are not given sufficient information about the novel status of a procedure, possible uncertainties or potential risks when deciding to go ahead with the procedure, research led by the University of Bristol and published in the Annals of Surgery has found.
Apply Today! Advance Media Registration for American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress
Members of the media can apply today to cover the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2023.
Better training for the brain: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering dean to develop surgical simulator that sparks learning
Suvranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, is building a better simulator — one that uses brain stimulation to improve learning for physicians undergoing training for robotic surgeries for oral cancers.
When Blood Is a New Alternative Medicine for Pain Relief at Chula Pain Clinic
Chula Medicine researchers have successfully published an article on the injection of patient’s own platelets rich plasma into the shoulder ligaments resulting in pain reduction, heal torn ligaments and restore torn muscles as an alternative to surgery while reducing the side effects of prolonged use of pain medications.
Most pancreatic cancer patients don’t get lifesaving surgery
Only 22% of Texas patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer received standard-of-care surgery to remove their tumors, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center report in a new study. The findings, published in the Journal of Surgical Oncology, are a call to action to improve treatment in the Lone Star State for this deadly disease, the authors say.
Plastic surgery goes to the movies: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery looks at facial disfigurement
Characters with facial disfigurement have long been a recurring theme in films. Their characteristics and outcomes lend insights into perceptions of facial deformities and the effects of plastic surgery, reports a study in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery under the guidance of Editor-in-Chief Mutaz B. Habal, MD, FRCS, FACS of Tampa, Florida. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
Tips to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays
With the increase in outdoor activities during the summer, a UT Southwestern Medical Center cancer specialist reminds you to protect your skin from sun damage.
Older Frail Patients Have a 1-in-3 Chance of Surviving CPR During Surgery
It’s estimated that around 25% of patients who have a cardiac arrest and receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a normal hospital setting will survive.
Patients Taking Popular Medications for Diabetes and Weight Loss Should Stop Before Elective Surgery, ASA Suggests
With the growing popularity of medications like Ozempic® (semaglutide), Trulicity® (dulaglutide), and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight loss, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) suggests withholding the medication before elective surgery to reduce the risk of complications associated with anesthesia in adults and children.
Amitabh Goel, MD, FACS, Named Verified Surgeon of Quality by Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative
Hernia Awareness Month occurs each year in June, and this year the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) is celebrating with the launch of its new Verified Surgeon of Quality Program. Amitabh Goel, MD, FACS, Chair of the Department of Surgery at University Hospitals (UH) Geneva Medical Center, and clinical professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has been recognized by the organization as a Verified Surgeon of Quality.
Cancer Experts at Jersey Shore University Medical Center Implanting First Targeted Liver Tumor Treatment Pumps in Patients
A team of surgical experts led by Gregory J. Tiesi, M.D., FACS, FSSO, began implanting hepatic artery infusion pumps in patients at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in June. They are among the first in New Jersey to provide the pump for patients.
UTHealth Houston study on repeated radiofrequency ablation in combination with chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer supported with $3.3M HHS grant
A combination strategy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) with chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer will be studied at UTHealth Houston through a $3.3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Rutgers Docs Develop Best Practices for Next-Gen Surgical Robot
The new devices reduce recovery times. Innovative techniques may reduce them more.
Vascular Verification Program Verifies First Four Hospitals
The American College of Surgeons (ACS), with the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), has verified the first four hospitals as part of the recently launched Vascular Verification Program (Vascular-VP).
National Leader in Transplant Surgery Care and Quality Tapped as the New Director of University Hospitals Transplant Institute
Announcement of Zoe Stewart Lewis, MD, PhD, MPH, as the new Director of Cleveland’s University Hospitals Transplant Institute and Chief of the Division of Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery in the Department of Surgery.
Improving Geriatric Surgical Quality Is Feasible for a Wide Range of Hospitals
A national pilot program designed to improve outcomes for elderly surgical patients is scalable and can be implemented in a wide range of hospital types—from community hospitals to urban academic medical centers, according to a study published this week in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).
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.
How one state beat national surgery opioid trends
A statewide effort to treat the pain of surgery patients without increasing their risk of long-term dependence on opioids has paid off in Michigan, a study shows.
Cataract surgery reimbursements may not be enough for some patients
Research suggests that Medicare reimbursements for complex cataract surgery cover less than two minutes of operating time, and an increase to reimbursements for the procedure may be justified. Complex cataract surgery requires more time and resources than simple cataract surgery, and this study indicates that the incremental reimbursement for the complex surgery is not enough to offset the increased costs.
New Guideline Introduces Recommendations for Optimal Timing of Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty
The ACR and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) released a summary of its new guideline titled “the Optimal Timing of Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty for Patients with Symptomatic Moderate to Severe Osteoarthritis or Osteonecrosis Who Have Failed Nonoperative Therapy.”
Mark S. Myerson MD, FAAOS, Receives AAOS Humanitarian Award for International Work Providing Foot and Ankle Deformity Care to Underserved Communities
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) presented its 2023 Humanitarian Award to Mark S. Myerson MD, FAAOS, of Denver, Colo.
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.
Understanding the Value of a Physician’s Intuition when Assessing Risk Factors for Surgery
Researchers investigated whether a physician’s intuition, including their training and past experiences, could be used in risk prediction similar to a standardized surgical risk calculator developed by the American College of Surgeons.