The Cutting Edge
News for the OR Professional
The Cutting Edge is a bi-weekly e-newsletter focused on news that directly impacts OR professionals. The content is compiled and circulated by Surgical Information Systems (SIS) as a complimentary service to the online surgical community. If you would like to receive The Cutting Edge we will happily send each issue directly to your inbox.
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Current Issue
The Cutting Edge Newsletter (July 3, 2008)
News for the OR Professional
Published by Surgical Information Systems
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Obesity Surgery Quickly Increases Kidney Stone Risk
- World Health Organization Issues Surgical Guidelines
- High Surgeon Volume Linked to Lower Costs for Cancer Surgery
- Students slice into virtual patients
- Neurologic Complications of Heart Surgery Detailed in Comprehensive Review Article
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Obesity Surgery Quickly Increases Kidney Stone Risk
Morbidly obese patients who undergo a particular type of gastric bypass surgery called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are at an increased risk of developing kidney stones – small, pebble-like deposits that can result in severe pain and require an operation to remove them – earlier than previously thought. These stones develop in patients within only a few months following the procedure rather than several months to years, according to research published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. "Our data suggests that RYGB is associated with an increased risk of forming kidney stones as early as three months post-operation," according to the study's lead investigator, Manoj Monga, MD, FACS, Professor of Urologic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. (Journal of American College of Surgeons – June 26, 2008)
More at http://www.newsmax.com/health/obesity_surgery_stones/2008/06/26/107502.html
Morbidly obese patients who undergo a particular type of gastric bypass surgery called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are at an increased risk of developing kidney stones – small, pebble-like deposits that can result in severe pain and require an operation to remove them – earlier than previously thought. These stones develop in patients within only a few months following the procedure rather than several months to years, according to research published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. "Our data suggests that RYGB is associated with an increased risk of forming kidney stones as early as three months post-operation," according to the study's lead investigator, Manoj Monga, MD, FACS, Professor of Urologic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. (Journal of American College of Surgeons – June 26, 2008)
More at http://www.newsmax.com/health/obesity_surgery_stones/2008/06/26/107502.html
World Health Organization Issues Surgical Guidelines
The World Health Organization has issued its first guidelines aimed at reducing complications and deaths from the rising numbers of operations now being performed. The guidelines released Tuesday are a list of simple safety checks that the health organization said could halve the rate of surgical complications. The list is intended to improve anesthetic safety practices, avoid infections and improve communication among members of surgical teams. (World Health Organization – June 25, 2008)
More at http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/healthscience/who.php
The World Health Organization has issued its first guidelines aimed at reducing complications and deaths from the rising numbers of operations now being performed. The guidelines released Tuesday are a list of simple safety checks that the health organization said could halve the rate of surgical complications. The list is intended to improve anesthetic safety practices, avoid infections and improve communication among members of surgical teams. (World Health Organization – June 25, 2008)
More at http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/healthscience/who.php
High Surgeon Volume Linked to Lower Costs for Cancer Surgery
Hospital costs for complex cancer surgeries are lower when the procedures are done by surgeons who perform a larger number of such operations, reports a study in the July issue of Medical Care. "Patients may receive the most benefit from high-volume surgeons who provide higher quality care at lower costs compared with other surgeon," according to the new study by Vivian Ho, Ph.D., of Rice University and Thomas Aloia, M.D., of The Methodist Hospital, both in Houston. Ho and Aloia reviewed statewide hospital data from New Jersey, New York, and Florida during the 1990s. The analysis included nearly 267,000 patients undergoing six different types of operations for colon and rectal cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. (Medical Care – July 1, 2008)
More at http://www.honionline.com/honi/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2691&Itemid=132
Hospital costs for complex cancer surgeries are lower when the procedures are done by surgeons who perform a larger number of such operations, reports a study in the July issue of Medical Care. "Patients may receive the most benefit from high-volume surgeons who provide higher quality care at lower costs compared with other surgeon," according to the new study by Vivian Ho, Ph.D., of Rice University and Thomas Aloia, M.D., of The Methodist Hospital, both in Houston. Ho and Aloia reviewed statewide hospital data from New Jersey, New York, and Florida during the 1990s. The analysis included nearly 267,000 patients undergoing six different types of operations for colon and rectal cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. (Medical Care – July 1, 2008)
More at http://www.honionline.com/honi/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2691&Itemid=132
Students slice into virtual patients
A world-first surgery simulator, invented by the CSIRO and Melbourne University, allows medical students to practice operations with unprecedented realism. The simulator lets students "feel" bone and flesh under their virtual drill while using force-feedback pens. It also enables them to see the operation through a 3-D microscope showing a live, animated model of the anatomy they are operating on. "There have been other computer simulators, but when it's just a mouse melting away the bone you don't feel part of it, you don't get that true connection," said Professor Stephen O'Leary, a senior surgeon at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, who worked to develop the machine. "This brings engagement and realism to the process." (The Age – June 30, 2008)
More at http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/students-slice-into-virtual-patients/2008/06/29/1214677922556.html
A world-first surgery simulator, invented by the CSIRO and Melbourne University, allows medical students to practice operations with unprecedented realism. The simulator lets students "feel" bone and flesh under their virtual drill while using force-feedback pens. It also enables them to see the operation through a 3-D microscope showing a live, animated model of the anatomy they are operating on. "There have been other computer simulators, but when it's just a mouse melting away the bone you don't feel part of it, you don't get that true connection," said Professor Stephen O'Leary, a senior surgeon at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, who worked to develop the machine. "This brings engagement and realism to the process." (The Age – June 30, 2008)
More at http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/students-slice-into-virtual-patients/2008/06/29/1214677922556.html
Neurologic Complications of Heart Surgery Detailed in Comprehensive Review Article
Possible neurologic complications of heart surgery, ranging from headaches to strokes, are detailed in a new report in the online journal MedLink Neurology. In the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of its kind, researchers list possible nervous system complications of bypass surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, valve replacements, heart transplants and surgeries for congenital heart disease. For example, possible complications from bypass surgery include vision problems, paralysis, hoarseness, movement disorders and disturbances in learning, memory, attention, concentration and mental agility. Former President Bill Clinton's recent behavior has brought renewed attention to the issue from reporters, pundits and bloggers. (MedLink Neurology – June 21, 2008)
More at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112278.php
Possible neurologic complications of heart surgery, ranging from headaches to strokes, are detailed in a new report in the online journal MedLink Neurology. In the most comprehensive and up-to-date review of its kind, researchers list possible nervous system complications of bypass surgeries, cardiac catheterizations, valve replacements, heart transplants and surgeries for congenital heart disease. For example, possible complications from bypass surgery include vision problems, paralysis, hoarseness, movement disorders and disturbances in learning, memory, attention, concentration and mental agility. Former President Bill Clinton's recent behavior has brought renewed attention to the issue from reporters, pundits and bloggers. (MedLink Neurology – June 21, 2008)
More at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112278.php
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As an industry leading provider of perioperative software solutions, Surgical Information Systems (SIS) is pleased to offer The Cutting Edge as a free service to surgical professionals. Learn more about SIS at www.SISFirst.com, or access archived issues of this newsletter at www.SISFirst.com/TheCuttingEdge. Thank you for reading!