Medscape General Surgery Headlines

Sen Grassley Questions Top Medical Schools About Ghostwriting

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:39 EST

As part of his mission to see more financial transparency in medicine, Sen Grassley has asked eight top US medical schools about their policies on ghostwriting.

Patients Happier When Doctors Discuss What Went Wrong

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:58:27 EST

Hospital patients who suffer a side effect from treatment are more likely to give high ratings to their quality of care when hospital staff are up front about what went wrong, a new study suggests.

Unique Malpractice Risks of Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:06:52 EST

More physicians are setting up ambulatory surgery centers, but there are many malpractice risks that come with having a center. Here is what to watch out for.

36th Annual VEITH Symposium

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:55:51 EST

Read clinically focused news coverage of key developments from the meeting.

Nutrition, Anabolism, and the Wound Healing Process: An Overview

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Anabolic agents can directly improve the wound healing process by increasing protein synthesis.

House Passes Medicare SGR Fix

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:22 EST

The House passed a bill that would rewrite the controversial sustainable growth rate formula and eliminate a 21.2% Medicare pay cut for physicians scheduled for 2010.

First Orthopaedic Surgeon in Space to Use His Medical Skills on Mission

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:10:31 EST

Five million miles from home, Dr. Robert Satcher completed his first space walk and "tweets" while in orbit.

Surgeon Experience Trumps Specialty for Best Adrenalectomy Outcomes

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:57:25 EST

Patients undergoing adrenalectomy are less likely to have complications and more likely to have a shorter hospital stay if their surgeon performs at least four such operations per year, new research shows.

Primary Amelanotic Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:47:38 EST

A case of primary amelanotic malignant melanoma of the esophagus that presented as an esophageal mass in a 66-year-old woman is discussed.

Goal-directed Haemodynamic Therapy and Gastrointestinal Complications in Major Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Investigators performed a meta-analysis to examine the effects of goal-directed hemodynamic therapy on postoperative gastrointestinal and hepatic complications.

New Senate Healthcare Reform Bill Features Public Option With Opt-Out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:45 EST

The Senate bill would cost $849 billion through 2019, but it would ultimately shave $127 billion off the federal deficit while reducing the number of uninsured by 31 million people.

Part 2: The Case of the Emergency Room Physician Who Burned Out: Diagnosing and Treating His Substance Abuse

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:17:28 EST

In part 2 of the new series on the Impaired Physician, substance abuse develops in Dr. X. Is it now time to turn him in?

What Should Patients Do With Unused Narcotics?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:07:43 EST

Clinicians often tell patients to save their remaining narcotics for "next time." According to guidelines, this may not be the best advice.

POPE: No Benefit of Diclofenac on Pericardial Effusion

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:12:25 EST

Mean pericardial effusion grade postcardiac surgery was not reduced with 14 days of treatment with the NSAID.

Postop Anemia in High-CV-Risk Patients: No CV Gains From Fixed Hemoglobin Target in Trial

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:38:48 EST

A randomized trial found no protection from in-hospital cardiovascular events with a strategy of blood transfusions to maintain hemoglobin above 10 g/dL, compared with a more conservative approach to transfusion therapy, in patients with CV disease or risk factors who underwent hip surgery.

FDA Warns of Deaths, Injuries Associated With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:06:14 EST

Negative pressure wound therapy has been associated with 6 deaths and 77 serious complications during the past 2 years.

Surgical Masks vs N95 Respirators: Research and Practice

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:36:50 EST

A well-designed study examines the efficacy of surgical masks in protecting healthcare workers against influenza. William R. Jarvis, MD, comments in this video blog.

Part 1: The Case of the Emergency Department Physician Who Burned Out: Risk Factors, Impact, and Early Interventions

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:42 EST

In part 1 of the new series on The Impaired Physician, Dr. X shows signs of burnout that put his personal and professional life at risk. Would you turn him in?

USPSTF Issues New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:11:19 EST

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against routine mammography screening for women before age 50 years and suggests that screening end at age 74 years.

Intra-Articular Infusion of Local Anesthetic With Elastomeric Infusion Devices Linked to Postsurgical Chondrolysis

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:54:04 EST

Chondrolysis has been reported in patients receiving continuous intra-articular infusions of local anesthetics with elastomeric infusion devices to control postsurgical pain.