June 2014

Although valve replacement is indicated when aortic valve stenosis (AS) is severe, experts have struggled with crafting evidence-based recommendations in the presence of mild or moderate AS, which has led to inconsistent practices and surgical guidelines.

Although the Caprini Thrombosis Risk Assessment Tool is widely used and well validated, many surgeons struggle to implement it appropriately and accurately when automated calculators are unavailable.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who experience pain, cosmetic deformity, or impending respiratory compromise can benefit from spinal surgery.

By emphasizing early postoperative mobilization alongside mandatory venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk stratification and concurrent electronic prophylaxis recommendations, hospitals can significantly reduce the likelihood of VTE complications among surgical patients.

Although shoulder replacement is less common than hip or knee replacement, aging Baby Boomers are undergoing the surgery at increasing rates, and one of the unintended, challenging consequences is deep infection.

Although patients who would have been considered high risk 10 years ago can now successfully undergo percutaneous cardiac intervention, those with severe sclerotic lesions in the ascending aorta still present a challenge to surgeons.

Injured workers and bystanders often suffer oily wounds in accidents that must be cleaned prior to surgery.

When accidents result in the loss of fingertips, surgeons are often called in to determine whether reattachment is possible and, more importantly, whether hand function can be restored.

Severe coronary calcification is an independent predictor of worse prognosis in obstructive coronary artery disease patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The high volume of distal radius procedures combined with an elevated risk for adverse outcomes such as malunion, loss of radial length, inclination, and volar or dorsal angulation make surgeries in the forearm ripe for malpractice claims.