As robotics becomes a greater part of the surgical field there is a concern that some doctors may become too comfortable with technology and not rely as much on their traditional training in procedures. Despite this challenge there are ways doctors are finding to strike a balance between the two sides for the best end result.
Children and adolescents appear to be increasingly seeking medical care for nonorganic back pain. However, according to a new literature review, physicians are often unable to determine the exact cause for such pain, even with expensive, advanced testing that includes MRIs.
A history of multiple surgeries and general anesthesia shouldn't necessarily worry the elderly about their risk of diminishing mental abilities, according to a new Mayo Clinic study.
British research indicates that previous fracture appears to be associated with an increased likelihood of chronic widespread bodily pain, particularly with hip fractures in women, and spine fractures in both sexes.
Being discharged from oncology care after treatment for breast cancer face concerns about the future. New guidelines look to provide a clearer picture for the years after original treatments.
New research from Japan indicates that exocrine pancreatic insufficiency after pancreatectomy may be 1 of several factors that indicates an elevated risk of postoperative hepatic steatosis.
When treatment of cardiovascular disease goes beyond the heart and into other areas of the body it can present different challenges for cardiologists. Finding new ways to overcome those challenges has been a focus of many conditions including peripheral artery disease.
Study results show that patients with ulcerative colitis who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) had higher rates of opportunistic infections and inpatient mortality compared to transplant patients who did not have UC.
Cystic fibrosis patients who lose pancreatic function are failing to avail themselves of operations that could replace their damaged organs and restore their ability to digest food and manage blood sugar.
Study results suggest that extracorporeal shock wave therapy may be an effective pain reliever for patients suffering from coccydynia.
In the history of military medicine amputation has been a common practice through the years. As technology has developed work has been done to see whether limbs that might have otherwise been amputated in the past can in fact be salvaged in some way going forward.
Located in San Antonio Brooke Army Medical Center has undergone considerable changes since opening nearly 20 years ago. Those changes have meant better care not only for their local patients but also service members who are sent there from all over the world on a daily basis.
In the past patients with alcoholic liver disease may not have been considered viable options for liver transplants. A recent study looked at whether an artificial device could help these patients return to a normal quality of life.
Several prior studies have noted that Roux-Y gastric bypass surgery often leaves patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, but new research from Switzerland indicates that different flavors of the procedure expose patients to greatly different risks.
Obese people are generally less healthy than those of normal weight, but that should not be a barrier to liver transplantation, researchers said at the 2015 Liver Meeting (AASLD) in San Francisco, CA.
Donor livers are scarce, donated organs are precious, and transplant surgeons make the final call on whether to transplant. When the question of whether to give a liver to a patient who uses marijuana, drinks too much alcohol, or even smokes tobacco comes up, the issue gets tricky.
According to researchers in Germany, complications and higher recurrence rates are more likely after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.
Study results show that dutasteride is similar to the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride in its effect on post-operative blood loss in men treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Many surgeons complain about operating room efficiency. Hospitals can benefit from improving OR efficiency, because most ORs top their list of the most costly divisions. Here are several successful low-cost, low-technology measures to improve efficiency that were implemented at a tertiary-care academic medical center/Level I trauma center.
Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially fatal disorder usually associated with administration of certain general anesthetics and/or succinylcholine. Until 30 years ago, its etiology was unknown. Then, researchers found that people who carry an autosomal dominant calcium channel mutation are at elevated susceptibility.
Some experts contend that hiatal hernia-related symptoms improve after weight-loss surgery, making repair of the hiatus unnecessary. Yet, simultaneous repair during bariatric surgery may be more efficient than undergoing separate procedures. A study published in the journal Surgery suggests repair of hiatal hernia during bariatric surgery appears safe and feasible.
A retrospective review suggests that patients who have cervicofacial rhytidectomy (face lift) after radiotherapy are likely to have increased complication rates over patients who have not had radiotherapy.
Cystic dilatation of the bile duct (usually called choledochal cyst)-is a rare condition that causes numerous complications, such as chronic pancreatitis, which is the most common cause of exocrine pancreatice insufficiency in adults.
A recent review article provided updated information on classification systems, preventive techniques, pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatment options for postoperative ileus.
Clinicians often discourage older patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy from pursuing surgery, worrying that lingering pathology, comorbidities, reduced physiological reserves, and age-related spinal cord changes will delay recovery.
Whether they lost an upper or lower extremity on the battlefield, thanks to new technology being developed wounded soldiers can now resume their normal lives and even return to active duty if they so choose.
