Editor's Note Kinematics-based AI similar to the technology behind ChatGPT enabled a multi-armed robot to learn new surgical techniques by watching video of human surgeons, according to a November 12 report in Healthday. “The robot is powered by the same AI that underpins ChatGPT, but instead of words and text,…

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Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has recognized 77 US hospitals for “exceptional surgical outcomes” in 2023 based on performance metrics tracked as part of the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). According to an October 30 ACS announcement, these hospitals were selected from among 609 eligible…

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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…

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Editor's Note The American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), managed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), crossed a major threshold, now encompassing over 4 million recorded hip and knee arthroplasty procedures, a November 7 AAOS press release reports. The data, spanning a decade (2012–2023) from 1,447 healthcare institutions nationwide,…

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Editor's Note As joint replacement (JR) procedures increasingly move from the hospital setting to ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), selecting the right candidates for these outpatient procedures becomes crucial. To support this transition, study authors Madhav Chowdhry, MD, and Edward J. McPherson, MD, developed a comprehensive, evidence-based checklist called Checklist Outpatient-Joint…

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Editor's Note Older adults face a significantly higher risk of complications including stroke and recurrent heart attacks if they undergo elective noncardiac surgeries soon after myocardial infarction, according to a University of Rochester study published October 30 in JAMA Surgery.  According to a University announcement, current guidelines from the American…

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Editor's Note A new global clinical trial indicates targeting higher blood pressure during non-cardiac surgeries is no better than current standard approach in preventing acute kidney injury, according to a November 5 report from London Health Sciences Centre. With 300 million non-cardiac surgeries performed worldwide every year, risk of kidney…

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Editor's Note Joint guidance from key US medical associations advises that most patients on GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), may safely continue these drugs before surgery, HealthDay News reported October 31. Concerns had emerged about potential risks associated with these medications due to their…

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Editor's Note Research presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting has found that beta-blocker use is associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke, particularly among Black and Hispanic patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries, Medpage Today reported October 20. According to the article, the retrospective study analyzed the…

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Editor's Note Music-based interventions administered preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively can significantly reduce postoperative opioid use and improve mood in patients undergoing same-day surgeries, according to research published October 15 in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. The single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial evaluated 75 patients aged 18 to 80 who received…

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