March 2014

Although wound dehiscence is believed to occur in only 0.2-6% of abdominal laparotomies, its associated mortality rate is high.

Postoperative surgical site infection is exceedingly rare after hemorrhoidectomy, and routine antibiotic prophylaxis seems to be unnecessary.

A majority of anesthesiologists report using intraoperative neuroprotection for carotid endarterectomy, compared to a previous study that reported 22% of anesthesiologists used neuroprotection in 1995.

Laparoscopically skilled surgeons with low case volumes have operative times, complication rates, and 30-day hospital readmission rates similar to high-volume surgeons.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has become a popular and generally successful surgery with increasing importance as Baby Boomers enter their golden years expecting to remain active and pain-free. However, straightening the knee from a fully bent position creates a clunk or crackle for up to 18% of TKA patients.

Patients with unreasonable or uninformed expectations are often unprepared for the postoperative period and dissatisfied with their outcomes. As a result, healthcare professionals are dedicating more time to studying and managing patient expectations, including making sure all involved have a clear understanding of what to expect in terms of risks and benefits.

Uterine fibroids often cause symptoms such as heavy vaginal bleeding, anemia, constipation, bloating, and hydronephrosis that lower quality of life and lead to missed workdays for women.

Many adhesions are asymptomatic, but in some patients, they can cause pain, small bowel obstruction and other postoperative issues, as well as increase cost and complicate surgical suite workload.

Although molecularly targeted cancer therapies are generally safe and more effective than previous treatment options, some serious adverse events can occur.