November 2018 Briefing - Surgery

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Surgery for November 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Higher-Volume Hospitals Have Better Laryngectomy Outcomes

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2018 -- Laryngectomy outcomes appear to be associated with hospital volume for such cases, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Lower Mortality Seen for Cardiac Care at Top-Ranked Hospitals

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 28, 2018 -- Compared with nonranked hospitals, top-ranked hospitals have lower 30-day mortality but similar or higher readmission rates for cardiovascular conditions, according to a study published online Nov. 28 in JAMA Cardiology.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

FDA to Update Medical Device Approvals Process

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 -- A major update of the United States' system for approving medical devices was announced yesterday by the Food and Drug Administration.

Four Principles Underlie Patient and Family Partnership in Care

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 -- Patient and family partnership in care should include treatment of patients and families with dignity and respect, their active engagement in all aspects of care, and their contribution to the improvement of health care systems and education of health care professionals, according to a position paper published online Nov. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

ACA Coverage Substantial, but Did Not Impact Labor Markets

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 -- Millions of workers gained insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without adverse effects on labor markets, according to a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.

Report: How Have Workers Fared Under the ACA?

Major Bleeding Up With Frailty in Acute MI Patients

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 -- Frail acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients are less likely to undergo cardiac catheterization and have an increased risk for bleeding, according to a study published in the Nov. 26 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Patient Education Ups VTE Prophylaxis in Hospital Setting

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 -- A patient-centered education bundle intervention can reduce nonadministration of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Network Open.

Abstract/Full Text

Patient Outcomes Tied to Valve Replacement Volume

MONDAY, Nov. 19, 2018 -- Hospitals with high caseloads of both surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have the best outcomes, according to a study published online Oct. 31 in JAMA Cardiology.

CDC: 8.8 Percent Uninsured in U.S. in First Half of 2018

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 -- In the first six months of 2018, 8.8 percent of U.S. individuals of all ages were uninsured, which was not significantly different from 2017, according to a report published Nov. 15 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

Abstract/Full Text

Harms ID'd With Nonoperative Management of Appendicitis

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 -- Patients with uncomplicated appendicitis undergoing nonoperative management are more likely to have an appendicitis-associated readmission and to develop an abscess, although index hospitalization costs are lower compared with appendectomy, according to a study published online Nov. 14 in JAMA Surgery.

Name-Brand Medications Driving Spike in U.S. Drug Spending

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 -- Rising drug spending in the United States is being fueled by expensive name-brand prescription medicines, a new study shows.

Patient Experiences Shed Light on Diagnostic Errors

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 -- Data from patient- and family-reported error narratives indicate that problems related to patient-physician interactions are major contributors to diagnostic errors, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Breast Cancer Recurrence Rate Not Up With Autologous Fat Transfer

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 -- For patients with breast cancer, reconstruction with autologous fat transfer (AFT) seems not to increase the rate of locoregional recurrence versus conventional breast reconstruction, according to a study published online Oct. 10 in JAMA Surgery.

AMA to Collect Data on Suicide Among Doctors-in-Training

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 -- By collecting data on suicides by medical students, residents, and fellows, the American Medical Association hopes to identify ways to reduce suicides among doctors-in-training. The data collection policy was approved at a meeting yesterday.

More Information

Red Cross Issues Urgent Call for Blood Ahead of the Holidays

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 -- There is an urgent need for blood and platelet donations in the United States because donations during September and October fell 21,000 units short of hospital needs, the American Red Cross says.

More Information

CDC: Gun Deaths on the Rise in the United States

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 -- Homicides and suicides involving guns are on the rise in the United States, according to a federal government study.

Recommendations Issued for Management of Bradycardia

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 -- The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Heart Rhythm Society have released guidance for the evaluation and treatment of bradycardia and cardiac conduction disorders, according to a guideline, review, and executive summary published online Nov. 6 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

In Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Curcumin Lacks Benefit

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 -- When used perioperatively in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, curcumin has no beneficial effect, according to a study published in the Oct. 29 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.

Use of Polyetheretherketone Devices May Up Pseudarthrosis

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 -- For one-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), use of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) devices is associated with significantly higher rates of radiographically demonstrated pseudarthrosis and need for revision surgery compared with allografts, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.

Abstract/Full Text

Quantity of Opioids Prescribed Postop Linked to Consumption

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 -- The quantity of opioids prescribed after surgery is associated with patient-reported opioid consumption, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in JAMA Surgery.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Medicaid Expansion Approved in Three Republican-Leaning States

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 -- Hundreds of thousands more low-income Americans could get health insurance after voters in three Republican-leaning states approved Medicaid expansion in the midterm elections.

CNBC Article

More Frequent Surveillance No Benefit After NSCLC Resection

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 -- For patients undergoing resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), more frequent surveillance is not associated with improved survival, according to a study published in the October issue of the Annals of Surgery.

Abstract/Full Text

Blood Donations Exceeded Demand After Las Vegas Shooting

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 -- Nearly 500 blood components were transfused in the first 24 hours following the Las Vegas shooting on Oct. 1, 2017, while more than 800 units of blood were donated in the immediate aftermath, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Surgery Restores Boy's Ability to Walk Post-Acute Flaccid Myelitis

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 -- A first-of-its-kind surgery has restored the ability to walk in a boy paralyzed by acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).

Removing Appendix May Lower Risk for Parkinson's Disease

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 -- The normal human appendix seems to contain pathogenic forms of α-synuclein, which may impact the risk for developing Parkinson's disease (PD), according to a study published online Oct. 31 in Science Translational Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text

FDA Approves Powerful New Opioid Despite Criticisms

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 -- Ruling against the recommendation of one of its chief experts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved an extremely potent new opioid painkiller, Dsuvia.

Sign-Up Season Begins on HealthCare.gov

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 -- The federal government website where Americans can sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is up and running, officials said yesterday.

Financial Conflicts of Interest Prevalent Among CPG Authors

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 -- There is a high prevalence of financial conflicts of interest among authors of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) related to high-revenue medications and in gastroenterology, according to two research letters published online Oct. 29 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

2011 to 2015 Saw Decline in Health Care-Associated Infections

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 -- From 2011 to 2015, there was a reduction in the prevalence of health care-associated infections, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

AAD Releases New Guidelines for the Tx of Cutaneous Melanoma

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 -- New guidelines have been released for the treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma, according to a report from the American Academy of Dermatology published online Nov. 1 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Minimally Invasive Sx May Up Mortality in Early Cervical Cancer

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 -- For patients with early-stage cervical cancer, minimally invasive surgery is associated with increased mortality and worse survival than open surgery, according to two studies published online Oct. 31 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

© 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted: December 2018