Editor's Note A novel stem cell treatment for unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD)—a type of corneal disease caused by injury—restored corneal function in half of study participants within three months, according to a March 5 report in Medical News Today. According to the article, the experimental therapy, cultivated autologous…
Editor's Note Cataract surgery raises the risk of worsening diabetic retinopathy in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to a February 24 article in MedPage Today. The article focused on a a retrospective analysis published in the journal Ophthalmology. The study involved a large dataset from the TriNetX research network,…
A wave of policy and regulatory changes is shaking up the healthcare industry—among many other markets. Like the COVID-19 pandemic greatly sped up the proliferation of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) by bringing traditional hospital operations to a standstill, ASCs are again on the poise of another boom. Medical innovation abounds…
Editor's Note Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a fluorescent hydrogel that may improve outcomes in cataract surgery by aiding in the complete removal of residual gel, reducing complications such as increased eye pressure, pain, and potential vision loss, Medical Xpress reported October 31. Cataract surgery, a frequently performed procedure, involves…
Editor's Note With the goal of helping patients choose if outpatient care is right for them and identify the right ambulatory surgery center (ASC) for their needs, US News & World Report unveiled on May 14 its inaugural ranking of the best ASCs in the US. Reportedly, “fewer than 15%…
Editor's Note This study led by researchers at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, finds that underrepresentation of minorities persists across all surgical specialties, while representation of females improves. The cross-sectional study examined race, ethnicity and attrition data of 112,205 surgical residents across 18 years (2001-2018) in 10 surgical specialties.…
Editor's Note This study led by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, finds that it may be reasonable to consider performing cataract surgery without routine anesthesia support. Medicare claims for 36,652 patients who had cataract surgery were analyzed. Among the findings: 89.8% had an anesthesia provider, compared to…
Editor's Note New findings from the University of Michigan's "National Poll on Healthy Aging" show that while most adults between the ages of 50 and 80 express concerns when opting to have elective surgery, 2 in 3 are “very satisfied with the outcome” post-procedure, according to a March 9 American…
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine find that the initial COVID-19 shutdown from March through April 2020 resulted in a decrease in surgical volume to nearly half of baseline rates. After the reopening, surgical volume rebounded to 2019 levels, and the trend was maintained.…
Editor's Note In this case study, craniofacial surgeons from Brazil describe their experience with a 28-year-old COVID-19-positive man who developed orbital cellulitis, requiring surgical intervention. A few weeks before, the man had a mild illness with fatigue and loss of smell and taste. He didn’t seek medical care until he…