Fistula News and Research

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A Fistula is an abnormal opening or passage between two organs or between an organ and the surface of the body. Fistulas may be caused by injury, infection, or inflammation, or may be created during surgery.

$750 million needed to treat obstetric fistula until 2015

A report released by the United Nations today calls for intensified investment in cost-effective interventions to address the problem of obstetric fistula. The document estimates that at least $750 million is needed to treat existing and new cases between now and 2015. Caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without timely medical intervention, the condition affects as many as 3.5 million women in the world.

11 Oct 2010

New EID/Qb technique offers real-time monitoring of AVF function during dialysis

A simple equation provides real-time feedback to detect access recirculation in arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) during hemodialysis, reports a study in the September/October issue of ASAIO Journal, Official Journal of the American Society of Artificial Internal Organs.

24 Sep 2010

Bioconnect's Optiflow Vascular Anastomotic System granted CE mark approval

Bioconnect Systems, Inc. today announced CE mark approval for the Optiflow™ Vascular Anastomotic System. The Optiflow™ enhances a surgeon's ability to create precise vascular connections. The initial indication is the creation of an arteriovenous fistula needed for vascular access in hemodialysis patients.

21 Sep 2010

FDA decides to review information on Avastin for advanced HER2-negative breast cancer

Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, today announced that information submitted by the company to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the review of the supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLAs) for Avastin (bevacizumab) for previously untreated (first-line) advanced HER2-negative breast cancer has been deemed a major amendment.

18 Sep 2010

IPS examines obstetric fistula in Africa

Inter Press Service examines how women's "low status" can contribute to the development of obstetric fistulas in women in East, Central and Southern Africa.

13 Sep 2010

First ROSE procedures with USGI Medical's Incisionless Operating Platform performed in Europe

USGI Medical, Inc., the Incisionless Surgery Company, announced that a surgeon in the U.K. successfully completed Europe's first two scar-free stomach surgery repairs using the company's Incisionless Operating Platform™ (IOP). Elemental Healthcare Ltd. distributes the IOP in the U.K. market.

30 Aug 2010

BioTrends' online survey provides in-depth view of dialysis vascular access market

BioTrends Research Group, Inc. recently published its TreatmentTrends: Vascular Access report. This report is based on online survey results from over 150 physicians (general nephrologists, surgeons, interventional radiologists and interventional nephrologists).

25 Aug 2010

Hemodialysis with AVF depends on patient’s health insurance: Study

Kidney disease patients insured by some federally sponsored national health care organizations are more likely to undergo an important predialysis procedure than patients with other types of insurance, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results may provide insights into ways to improve kidney-related care for patients before they go on dialysis.

10 Aug 2010

Research shows variations in care that kidney disease patients receive before starting dialysis

The wealth or poverty of kidney disease patients' communities impacts the quality of care patients receive before starting dialysis, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology. The results suggest that medical professionals need to improve care for patients who have not yet started dialysis.

6 Aug 2010

Also in Global Health News: India's food security; ASEAN to address disaster preparedness; Iraqi food aid; Why fistula plagues Kenya

A Reuters article discusses the implications of an Indian bill that would "subsidise grains for the poor, a move that will impact government finances as well as political support." According to the news service, the proposal "aims to partly shield a substantial voter base from surging inflation in a country where about 40 percent of the 1.2 billion population lives below the U.N. estimated poverty line."

22 Jul 2010

Genentech disappointed with FDA ODAC's recommendation against Avastin

Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 12 to one that use of Avastin® (bevacizumab) in combination with paclitaxel for previously untreated (first-line) advanced HER2-negative breast cancer be removed from Avastin's U.S. label.

21 Jul 2010

Study finds substantial regional variation in treatment practices for older adults with ESRD

There is substantial regional variation in treatment practices for care of older adults with end-stage renal disease, including receipt of hospice care and discontinuation of dialysis before death, according to a study in the July 14 issue of JAMA.

14 Jul 2010

Opinions: Coordinate debris removal in Haiti; Focus on sustainability to feed Africa; G20's role in health, development; Role of health workers in reducing maternal deaths

Marking the six-month anniversary since the earthquake in Haiti, Reginald DesRoches, Ozlem Ergun and Julie Swann, all of the Georgia Institute of Technology, call for increased attention to be paid towards efforts to remove the "[t]wenty million to 25 million cubic yards of debris [that] fill the streets, yards, sidewalks and canals of Port-au-Prince" in a New York Times opinion piece.

9 Jul 2010

Medicare reimbursement rates for outpatient repair of anal fistulas increased by 6%

Hospitals nationwide will receive six percent higher reimbursement payments for outpatient repair of anal fistulas using Cook Medical's Biodesign® Fistula Plug, a device designed specifically to treat this painful and embarrassing disorder of the lower GI tract. According to new Medicare payment schedules effective January 1st, hospital outpatient surgery departments will receive approximately $2,200 per procedure, while freestanding ambulatory surgery centers will be paid about $1,300 on average.

7 Jul 2010

Genentech's second Phase III ICON7 study of Avastin in ovarian cancer meets primary endpoint

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced today that a second large, Phase III, international study showed that the combination of Avastin® (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy, followed by the continued use of Avastin alone, increased the time women with previously untreated ovarian cancer lived without the disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS, the primary endpoint), compared to chemotherapy alone.

2 Jul 2010

Equatorial Guinea strengthens health facilities to boost access to reproductive health services

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial, along with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is working to strengthen and equip health facilities throughout the country to boost access to reproductive health services. The rebuilding process includes the construction and renovation of health centers and maternity units as well as proper training for medical students.

19 Jun 2010

Office-based duplex guided hemodialysis access angioplasty safe: Study

Duplex guided dialysis access angioplasty can be performed safely and effectively in the office setting according to a new study presented today at the 64th Vascular Annual Meeting presented by the Society for Vascular Surgery®. According to researchers, ultrasound offers the advantage of treating the patient without ionizing radiation and sedation or iodinated contrast.

11 Jun 2010

Researchers receive funding to study care processes in patients beginning dialysis

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center have received funding to study the care processes that lead to placement of arteriovenous fistulas in patients beginning dialysis.

9 Jun 2010

Genentech reports results from Phase III study of Avastin in women with advanced ovarian cancer

Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, today announced results from a Phase III study of Avastin (bevacizumab) that showed women with previously untreated advanced ovarian cancer who received Avastin in combination with chemotherapy, followed by the continuation of Avastin alone, had a 39 percent improvement in the likelihood of living longer without the disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS) compared to chemotherapy alone.

7 Jun 2010

Genentech to present new data for targeted cancer medicines at 46th ASCO

Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, today announced that it will present new data for its targeted cancer medicines and the way they may be used in several different cancer types at the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Approximately 400 abstracts featuring Genentech and Roche's cancer medicines and investigational agents across 30 cancer types will be presented during the meeting that is taking place June 4 to 8, 2010 in Chicago.

21 May 2010