Surgery/Specialties
Brain stimulation improves surgeon dexterity with robotic tools
Editor's Note Mild electric stimulation to the back of surgeons’ heads could enhance robotic surgery accuracy and precision, according to findings published in the journal Scientific Reports on December 20. The study tasked 36 participants – approximately half male, half female, none of whom had experience with robotic surgery –…
Mental health interventions reduce readmissions for trauma patients
Editor's Note Mental health intervention significantly reduces the likelihood of trauma survivors returning to the hospital in crisis after discharge, according to a study in the January 2024 issue of Annals of Surgery. According to the data, as many as 4 out of 10 of the 1.5 to 2 million…
Administering sedative preoperatively deemed safe for older patients
Editor's Note Researchers conducted the largest randomized study to date on use of the sedative midazolam in older patients, a drug sometimes used to calm patients prior to surgery. The results were published in JAMA Surgery on December 20. Highlights include: The study involved nine German hospitals and included more…
Study on cholecystectomy robotic surgery raises safety concerns
Editor's Note Despite the increasing prevalence of robotic-assisted surgery, recent data on cholecystectomy results indicates minimally invasive laparoscopic methods could be a safer option. Published in JAMA Surgery on September 20, the nationally representative study of Medicare beneficiary cholecystectomy patients showed a higher rate of bile duct injury (0.7%) for…
Burns prompt recalls of airway scopes, electrosurgical pads
Editor's Note Reports of burn injuries have prompted two medical device recalls: one for Megadyne patient return electrodes and one for Olympus bronchofiberscopes and bronchovideoscopes. According to a December 21 notice from AORN, the former recall is a voluntary correction on the part of Megadyne Medical Products, Inc. Following reports…
Breakthrough navigation system enables radiation-free spinal surgery
Editor's Note Spinal surgeons seeking a better standard of care now have an alternative to traditional scanning that exposes patients to levels of radiation equivalent to multiple X-rays. Highlighted in LA Weekly on December 19, the PathKeeper 3D optical and navigation system uses high-resolution 3D optical cameras to provide real-time…
Study: AI model explanations fail to combat bias
Editor's Note New data raise questions about the effectiveness of image-based AI model explanations in helping clinicians recognize systematic bias when diagnosing hospitalized patients. The findings appeared in JAMA on December 19. Researchers looked at the diagnostic accuracy of 457 hospital physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in diagnosing patients…
Hybrid OR: Continued advancement in diagnostic, surgical care
The concept of the hybrid OR was born in the 1990s, but healthcare institutions were originally slow to adopt the model due, in part, to the initial sizable investment required. While there was a steady uptick in adoption around 2008, today there are still only some 100 hybrid ORs in…
Role of data in surgical, patient preparedness for MSK cases
An estimated 126.6 million Americans are dealing with the impact of a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition, according to a US Bone and Joint Initiative report. That means, one in two adults in the US have gone or will be going through a wide range of hip, knee, shoulder, and/or spine procedures.…
AI tool determines postoperative mortality risk
Editor's Note A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by researchers at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai could help doctors better understand which patients are at greatest risk of dying following surgery, according to a December 15 report in Newswise. Based on findings originally published in the Lancet Digital…
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