Surgery News and Research

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The influence of diluent warming on dantrolene sodium mixing time

Every second counts for anesthesia patients afflicted by the often deadly condition known as malignant hyperthermia (MH).

9 May 2007

Ischemic-targeted approach to angioplasty among asymptomatic survivors of heart attack

When compared with intensive drug therapy, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, angioplasty) was more beneficial in reducing the long-term risk of major cardiac events among heart attack survivors with "silent ischemia", according to a study in the May 9 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.

9 May 2007

Researchers create agent that protects cells from the lethal effects of radiation

No drugs exist to protect the public from the high levels of radiation that could be released by a "dirty" bomb or nuclear explosion.

9 May 2007

MRI and MRS can provide a 'road map' of the prostate

MRI and MRS can provide a roadmap of the prostate and assist in surgical planning of robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP), according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles.

8 May 2007

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors safe and effective

Percutaneous imaging guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma is a safe and effective technique, with benefits such as reduced post-procedural pain and length of hospital stay, according to a study conducted by researchers from Changi General Hospital in Singapore.

8 May 2007

Functional anesthetic discography allows diagnosis of lower back pain cause

Functional anesthetic discography (FAD), a new diagnostic procedure involving injecting anesthetic directly into a spinal disc, can be used to confirm the presence of injured discs as the source of a patient's lower back pain symptoms, according to a new study by researchers from Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, NY.

8 May 2007

MDCT eliminates need for catheter angiography for aortic injury diagnosis

Contrast-enhanced 64-MDCT that definitively reveals acute trauma to the aorta does not need confirmation from invasive catheter angiography, which saves valuable time in treating patients in trauma centers, according to a new study by researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

8 May 2007

One-third of older Americans not treated for glaucoma

Almost one-third of older Americans diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) are not treated medically or surgically for the condition according to a study presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

8 May 2007

Scientists create cheaper 3-D ultrasound device

Almost every doctor's surgery has an ultrasound scanner. Medical ultrasonography allows us to see an unborn child in its mother's womb and helps to detect gall stones or identify tumor-like lumps.

8 May 2007

Electroconvulsive therapy helps patients with severe depression who don't respond to other treatments

Electroconvulsive therapy has been shown to be a highly effective, safe, and even life-saving treatment for persistent and severe depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

8 May 2007

New laser for surgeons

Lasers have become a standard feature of surgical interventions, be it to alleviate the breathing difficulties of snorers or to treat prostate problems.

8 May 2007

Facts about rheumatoid arthritis and aging

For the better part of three decades, Sherrie Kossoudji has endeavored each day to manage the inflammation, chronic pain, tight joints and other types of physical strife caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

8 May 2007

New treatments for brain hemorrhage

The first scientifically proven treatments for intracerebral hemorrhage, or "bleeding," strokes, are on the horizon, including a new drug that holds promise for slowing bleeding and limiting brain damage resulting from such a stroke, according to updated American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines.

4 May 2007

Pros and cons of tonsillectomy

Adults with recurrent sore throats may benefit from having a tonsillectomy in the short term, but the overall longer term benefit is still unclear, and any benefits have to be balanced against the side effects of the operation, according to this week's BMJ.

4 May 2007

Should hyperthyroidism patients consider combining Chinese and Western medicine?

It might not be a bad idea for people with overactive thyroids to supplement their standard treatment with Chinese herbal medicine, a new review suggests.

4 May 2007

Smoking and Crohn's disease

A new study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology suggests that smoking may determine which part of the intestinal tract is attacked in those who suffer from Crohn's disease.

4 May 2007

Women from all ethnic backgrounds are more successful at passing UK medical exams than their male counterparts

Women from all ethnic backgrounds are more successful at passing UK medical exams than their male counterparts, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Medicine.

4 May 2007

FDA approves new indication for FRAGMIN for the extended treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new indication for FRAGMIN (dalteparin sodium injection), for the extended treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) to reduce the recurrence of VTE in patients with cancer.

4 May 2007

Scientists discover way to distinguish pancreatic cancer from non-cancerous tissue

The research examined pancreatic cancer cells for tiny molecules called microRNA (miRNA). It shows that relative levels of certain miRNAs can distinguish pancreatic cancer from nearby noncancerous tissue and from inflamed pancreatic tissue.

2 May 2007

Laparoscopic gastric banding surgery improves insulin resistance

A new study examining the overall and gender-related effects of laparoscopic gastric banding surgery (LGBS) on insulin resistance, body composition, and metabolic risk markers six months post-surgery has found significant improvements in insulin resistance.

2 May 2007