An umbrella review of 24 meta-analyses revealed eight treatments that significantly alleviate postoperative ileus. Chewing gum, coffee, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, acupuncture, opioid receptor antagonists, da-cheng-qi-tang, early enteral nutrition, and zusanli point injection therapy improved outcomes. Additionally, opioid receptor antagonists, early enteral nutrition, ERAS, and chewing gum notably shortened postoperative hospital stays. However, […]
Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities
Surgeons reach consensus on standardized theatre etiquette guidelines
A Delphi study involving 261 surgical professionals from 23 countries established a consensus on 29 statements of theatre etiquette, aimed at enhancing professional conduct and communication in operating environments. This initiative addresses the inconsistencies often seen in training newcomers to surgical teams, including medical students and resident trainees. The guidance developed is intended to serve […]
Prehabilitation strategies improve outcomes in digestive cancer surgery
A recent network meta-analysis involving 2042 patients indicates that prehabilitation significantly decreases hospital stay and postoperative complications while enhancing functional recovery. Exercise-based prehabilitation outperformed other strategies for minimizing complications and improving walking distance post-surgery. Multimodal approaches also excelled in improving quality of life and alleviating depressive symptoms before surgery. Gastric cancer patients showed marked benefits […]
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery research shows rapid growth
Advancements in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery have fostered substantial growth in academic research, particularly after 2019. Analyzing 8,375 publications, the study reveals a surge in productivity and citation impact, with Yonsei University leading contributions. The United States remains dominant in output, while “Surgical Endoscopy” tops volume metrics. Notably, frequent keywords highlight focal areas like robotic and […]
Prehabilitation significantly lowers postoperative mortality and care facility discharges
A department-wide prehabilitation program notably reduced 30-day mortality, discharges to post-acute care facilities, and length of stay for high-risk surgical patients. In a study comparing prehabilitation recipients to matched historical controls, mortality decreased from 2.8% to 0.8%, and discharges to care facilities dropped from 12.9% to 8.8%. The benefits of prehabilitation differ by age, with […]
Lidocaine reduces inflammation and postoperative complications in surgery
Lidocaine, a common local anesthetic, exhibits notable anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects during surgical procedures. It effectively decreases neutrophil and macrophage activation, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, and supports endothelial integrity. Benefits of lidocaine include reduced postoperative pain, lower opioid needs, and quicker intestinal recovery. Furthermore, preliminary findings suggest it may inhibit tumor cell migration and inflammatory pathways […]
Effective blood management improves surgical outcomes
Evidence-based perioperative blood management strategies significantly enhance patient outcomes by addressing anemia and minimizing blood loss. Early identification and correction of anemia lead to fewer transfusions, reduced complications, and improved patient safety. Both liberal and restrictive transfusion thresholds are evaluated, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches based on patient conditions. Real-time clotting analysis techniques enable […]
Feedback intervention boosts adherence to opioid prescribing guidelines
A study found that providing surgical clinicians with monthly feedback featuring peer comparisons and patient-reported outcomes significantly improved adherence to opioid prescribing guidelines from 57.2% to 71.8%. Following the intervention, adherence rates continued to rise, reaching 74.4% at follow-up. Notably, the greatest improvements occurred in orthopedic surgeries, such as knee, hip, and shoulder arthroplasties. Importantly, […]
Acute Pain Services Outperform Traditional Models in Postoperative Care
A network meta-analysis of 38 randomized controlled trials reveals that acute pain services (APS) significantly alleviate postoperative pain compared to traditional doctor-nurse models. Nurse-based anesthesiologist specialist-supervised APS (NBASS-APS) achieved the highest effectiveness, with a 98% probability of optimal pain relief, followed by nurse-based anesthesiologist-supervised APS, multidisciplinary teams, and conventional models. These findings underscore the importance […]
ICU readmission notably raises mortality risk in surgical patients
A systematic review of 23 studies highlights a significant correlation between ICU readmission and increased mortality risk in surgical patients, with an odds ratio of 8.44. The overall readmission rate stood at 6%, notably higher in gastrointestinal (9%) and thoracic (8%) surgeries. Respiratory complications emerged as the leading cause, accounting for 40% of readmissions. This […]