Catheter-Directed Embolectomy Life-Saving in Massive Pulmonary Embolism
Catheter-directed intervention can be life-saving for patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) who fail to respond to or cannot receive systemic thrombolysis, according to a report in the August issue of Chest.
New Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Problems After Joint Surgery Identified
In addition to confirming previously identified risk factors for cardiovascular complications after total joint replacement (TJR) surgery, researchers have shown that bilateral and revision operations are associated with increased risk. "Revision joint replacement and bilateral surgery are much more prolonged operations than primary unilateral joint replacement," Dr. Jeffrey N. Katz, from Brigham and Women's Hospital […]
GORE-TEX Implants Seen as Safe Alternative to Graft for Rhinoplasty
GORE-TEX (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) implants are a safe and inexpensive alternative to autografts for use in rhinoplasty, according to the results of a 17-year retrospective review.
New Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Problems After Joint Surgery Identified
In addition to confirming previously identified risk factors for cardiovascular complications after total joint replacement (TJR) surgery, researchers have shown that bilateral and revision operations are associated with increased risk.
Postoperative Complication Rate May Be Higher in Patients With Mental Illness
Patients with schizophrenia or depression may be more prone to postoperative complications than patients without mental illness, according to a review of the literature — such as it is. "The knowledge base on clinical outcomes of surgery for patients with comorbid serious mental illness is extremely small, although we know the mentally ill carry a […]
Early Laparoscopic Surgery Best for Acute Cholecystitis
In patients with acute cholecystitis, performing laparoscopic gallbladder removal within 24 hours of admission, rather than waiting weeks to years after a course of antibiotics has been given, reduces the hospital stay without increasing the risk of complications, new research shows.
World Health Organization Issues Safety Checklist for Surgical Teams
To improve surgical safety worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new safety checklist for surgical teams to use in operating rooms, according to a report regarding the Safe Surgery Saves Lives initiative, published online June 25 in The Lancet and also available on the WHO Web site. These WHO guidelines and checklist […]
Is acupuncture safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA in light of […]
