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Journal and News Scan
February 6, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The authors hypothesized that examination of more lymph nodes resulting from lung resection for NSCLC would result in fewer missed nodal metastases and be associated with better survival related to more accurate staging. Based on nearly 25,000 pts from SEER, they found the median number of nodes examined was only 6. Pts who had 18-21 nodes examined had a hazard ratio for mortality of 0.65.
February 6, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This review outlines causes of delirium and oversedation in ICU patients. Methods of managing these problems are outlined.
February 5, 2014
Submitted by: Ruben Osnabrugge
In this article, the authors investigated the impact of the timing neonatal arterial switch operation on morbidity, mortality and costs. They included 140 patients with transposition of the great arteries and found a mortality and morbidity rate of 2% and 20%, as well as median hospital costs of $60,000. Their multivariable model showed that for every day beyond day 3 that the arterial switch was delayed, the risk of major morbidity increased with 47% and costs by 8%.
January 24, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
The most common type of mesothelioma is malignant pleural mesothelioma, a nearly invariably lethal tumour of the pleura. Very seldom diagnosed prior to the advent of widespread asbestos mining in the early to mid twentieth century, this disease has sharply risen in incidence over the last five decades (1). The worldwide consumption of asbestos has peaked in the 1980s consequent to the call for an asbestos ban in several developed countries. However, in recent years the use of this carcinogenic mineral and its products seems to get an unprecedented popularity in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America (2). The tragic consequences of increased asbestos use in these parts of the world are that many more mesothelioma cases will be diagnosed in the future and that a major carcinogenic legacy is left behind for next generations. Asbestos has also been characterized as a time-bomb due to the long latency between first asbestos exposure and occurrence of disease (3). The purpose of these guidelines is clear. They are providing a set of concise evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Although they were written to be used in an Australian context they will lend themselves also to be translated in health care settings outside of Australia. The team who voluntarily invested a significant amount of time in this project considered it a privilege to focus on better diagnostics, better treatment and care for those unfortunate victims of a hideous man-made disease called malignant pleural mesothelioma.
January 24, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
The worst case of heartburn ever: Norwegian doctors accidentally set fire to patient undergoing cardiac surgery Victim wakes up during the operation after suffering third-degree burns Surgeons ignited alcoholic disinfectant while using an electrical scalpel
January 24, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf wants to travel abroad for heart surgery requiring special equipment not available at home, legal sources said Friday quoting from a new medical report. Musharraf faces treason charges dating back to his 1999-2008 rule. But has not shown up for any hearings of a special tribunal due to security fears and lately a heart complaint. The 70-year-old former army chief has been in a military hospital since falling ill while travelling to the tribunal on January 2. An earlier diagnosis from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, where Musharraf is being treated, said he was suffering coronary artery disease and his lawyers have suggested he should be treated abroad. The full report was not released but a legal source who has read it shared some of its contents with reporters. The source said that in the report, Musharraf said he needed "special equipment for his heart surgery which is only available abroad".
January 24, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
This is a video from the EACTS/STS AORTIC SESSION
Martin Czerny, Joseph Coselli, Bill Brinkman, and Martin Grabenwöger discuss the differences and common issues between the US and Europe in current practice in aortic surgery.
January 23, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
According to a study on 22 patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot, ejection fraction of the right ventricular sinus and the extent of akinesia of the right ventricular outflow tract predict exercise capacity better than global right ventricular function.
January 23, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
A new endoscopic standardized grading system for macroscopic central airway complications following lung transplantation is suggested by a group of French bronchoscopy experts. It considers macroscopic appearance, diameters and sutures of the bronchial anastomoses.
January 23, 2014
Submitted by: Marcelo Jimenez
Using data from the 3 US cohorts in the After Breast Cancer Pooling Project (ABCPP) with information about duration and smoking exposure in 10000 breast cancer survivor, researchers analyzed the association between smoking and breast cancer survival. Exposition expressed in pack-year increase risks of recurrence and breast cancer mortality and all-cause mortality.