A newly developed risk prediction model for older adults undergoing cancer surgery reveals that 41.7% will need immediate homecare. Furthermore, 25% of patients alive six months post-surgery will require chronic homecare. This model, incorporating factors such as age, frailty, and cancer stage, demonstrates strong accuracy with area-under-the-curve values of 0.77 for immediate needs and 0.76 […]

Researchers demonstrated that a robotic malfunction checklist (RMC) significantly reduced the resolution time for complex robotic errors by 43%, averaging 3.9 minutes. In a randomized controlled simulation, participants using the RMC reported lower task load across multiple dimensions and increased confidence in addressing robotic issues during actual surgeries. These findings suggest that implementing an RMC […]

An analysis of over 399,000 gastrointestinal cancer surgery patients revealed that only 1.9% participated in clinical trials, with significant barriers linked to social vulnerability. Factors such as being female, Black, having Medicaid, and residing in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods correlated with lower enrollment rates. Furthermore, patients treated at community hospitals faced even greater obstacles, as high […]

Global surgical care is at a critical juncture, with an unmet need for 160 million operations annually and 3.5 million deaths post-surgery each year. Despite inspiring engagement in policy through the Lancet Commission, progress toward achieving the 2030 targets remains insufficient, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Chronic underfunding and workforce shortages have been exacerbated […]

A meta-analysis involving over 24 million patients reveals that lower income and wealth levels significantly correlate with worse postoperative outcomes within 90 days of surgery. Those with Medicaid, Medicare, or uninsured status exhibited higher odds of complications, mortality, and readmission compared to privately insured individuals. Specifically, Medicaid patients faced a 1.85 times higher risk of […]

Rural Americans face significant challenges in accessing surgical care, with a 29% decline in general surgeon availability from 2001 to 2019 intensifying disparities. The article presents actionable policy recommendations to enhance surgical care access in rural areas. Key initiatives include bolstering the rural surgical workforce, improving medical education, sustaining hospital infrastructure, and expanding telehealth resources. […]

A systematic review reveals that surgeons experience poor visualization in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) 40% of the time, leading to nearly 20% of surgical complications. Notably, lens cleaning costs average $312.53 per procedure, while visualization-related complications add $251 more per case. Together, these challenges contribute to over $2.2 billion in annual healthcare expenses in the […]

A study highlighted significant gaps in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) training among Dutch residents, despite 69.6% having some RAS experience. Only 14.2% operated as console surgeons, revealing limited hands-on training in 75.7% of hospitals. Most participants, 77.7%, expressed a desire for a national RAS curriculum. Qualitative analysis identified key themes, including training needs and the importance […]

Recent advancements in nanorobotics are set to transform gastrointestinal (GI) surgery by integrating nanoscale engineering, synthetic biology, and AI. This review highlights significant breakthroughs in the development of surgical nanorobots, including autonomous tumor ablation and closed-loop therapeutic feedback. Challenges such as autonomy, off-target effects, and ethical considerations are discussed, alongside the need for an integrated […]

Implementation of a minor surgery program in primary care significantly increased procedures, from 95 in 2022 to 945 in 2024. This change led to a 43.8% reduction in hospital-based minor surgeries, decreasing average waiting times, total delay, and the number of patients awaiting surgery. The initiative improved overall healthcare delivery by enhancing problem-solving capabilities in […]