AI predicts patients at highest risk for severe pain, increased opioid use post-surgery

Artificial intelligence (AI) used in machine learning models can predict which patients are at highest risk for severe pain after surgery, and help determine who would most benefit from personalized pain management plans that use non-opioid alternatives, suggests new research being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 annual meeting.

Florida forges ahead in lifting curbs amid virus concerns

As the summer coronavirus spike in Sunbelt states subsides, Florida has gone the furthest in lifting restrictions, especially on restaurants where the burden of ensuring safety has shifted to business owners and residents—raising concerns of a resurgence.

Paris braces for maximum coronavirus alert level

Paris was preparing on Sunday to be placed under maximum coronavirus alert as alarming COVID-19 infection numbers appeared to leave the French government little choice but to tighten restrictions in and around the capital.

Improving Trump could return to White House Monday: doctor

President Donald Trump has "continued to improve" as he is treated for COVID-19 at a military hospital near Washington, his doctors said Sunday, adding that he could be discharged as early as Monday.

Record-breaking California wildfires surpass 4 million acres

Deadly wildfires in California have burned more than 4 million acres (6,250 square miles) this year—more than double the previous record for the most land burned in a single year in the state.

Solomon Islands record first coronavirus case

The Solomon Islands announced they have lost the battle to stay free of the coronavirus, leaving just nine small, remote territories that have not reported a single case.

Iceland tightens restrictions after virus spike

Iceland, up to now one of the countries to have fared better against the coronavirus, has announced a tightening of restrictions after a spike in new cases since the middle of last month.

STOP THE BLEED training has saved lives from Sierra Leone to Connecticut

The STOP THE BLEED course teaches a skill with lifesaving potential that is easy to learn and globally relevant. Two studies presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2020 provide evidence that STOP THE BLEED training is effective and has made a lifesaving difference around the world.

Program to improve outcomes for geriatric surgery patients shows promise

People age 65 years and older account for 40 percent of inpatient operations and one-third of outpatient procedures, and these older patients are more vulnerable to longer hospital stays and other complications after surgery than younger patients. A beta test of a program for older adults who undergo major surgery has resulted in shorter hospital stays and lower rates of post-surgery delirium, among other improved outcomes, according to research presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2020.

Pregnant women have better outcomes after immediate surgery for complicated appendicitis

Pregnant women who underwent immediate surgery to treat a ruptured or abscessed appendix and their fetuses had significantly better outcomes than those whose condition was managed without an operation. Results from a nationwide study presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2020 form the basis for the potential development of a consensus on optimal management of complicated appendicitis in pregnancy.

Transportation barriers to care may increase likelihood of emergency surgical intervention

Transportation barriers, such as personal access to a vehicle or public transportation, disproportionally affect minority communities, according to results of a new study presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2020.

Female Spanish-only speakers get screening mammograms less often than other women

Limited English-language proficiency (LEP) is a risk factor for getting potentially lifesaving screening mammograms less often, according to new study results using national data. These findings, from women aged 40 and older living in the United States, are presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2020.

Surgery for benign breast disease does not impair future breastfeeding capability

Young women with benign breast conditions may undergo surgery without jeopardizing their ability to breastfeed later on. One of the first studies to specifically evaluate the effects of surgery on breastfeeding outcomes and lactation capability reveals that more than 80 percent of young women successfully breast-fed or bottle-fed breast milk, including those with a history of a prior breast operation. Findings from the study were presented as a clinical poster at the virtual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2020.

Hospitals serving minority patients follow breast cancer recommendations at similar rate

Among accredited U.S. cancer centers, hospitals serving primarily minority patients are as likely as other hospitals to offer the standard of surgical care for early-stage breast cancer, according to results presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2020.

All members of military surgical teams can benefit from military-civilian partnerships

Military surgical teams face unique demands on and off the battlefield. Combat trauma represents 0.5 percent of the 1 million annual military health system hospital admissions, presenting a challenge for military surgical teams to remain combat ready. Previous research has established the many benefits of military-civilian partnerships for training military surgeons prior to deployment and retaining critical skills during deployment. However, there exists a lack of data about the readiness and case volumes of other members of Army Forward Resuscitative Surgical Teams (FRSTs). Researchers who studied clinical practice patterns in non-physician members of Army FRSTs, particularly comparing the experience of active duty and Army reservist team members, presented their findings during the virtual American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2020.

Study shows need for balance in post-surgery opioid prescribing guidelines

To address the opioid epidemic, surgeons have embraced guidelines to reduce the number of opioid pills they prescribe to patients after surgery, and the efforts have helped to significantly reduce the number of opioids in circulation. But new research presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2020 reports that these guidelines may be missing a small group of patients that need a greater level of pain control.

New artificial intelligence models show potential for predicting outcomes

New applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care settings have shown early success in improving survival and outcomes in traffic accident victims transported by ambulance and in predicting survival after liver transplantation, according to two research studies presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2020.

Researchers zero in on genetic connection to postpartum hemorrhage

Researchers have identified genetic mutations that appear to protect women from severe bleeding after childbirth, a leading cause of maternal death. A preliminary study of the findings is being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 annual meeting.

Black children more than twice as likely to die after surgical complications

When it comes to surgery, minority children lag far behind white children, according to two analyses of large national databases being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 annual meeting. One found Black children are more than twice as likely as white children to die following surgical complications that require an unplanned additional operation. Another study determined Black, Asian and Hispanic children are about half as likely to have surgery as white children.

COVID-19 testing of children before anesthesia saves PPE

Universal COVID-19 testing of children who are having procedures requiring anesthesia promotes efficient use of personal protective equipment (PPE), according to research being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 annual meeting.

Significant decline in prescription opioid abuse seen among Americans at last

Almost 20 years into the opioid epidemic, there finally is evidence of significant and continual decreases in the abuse of these risky pain medications, according to an analysis of national data being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2020 annual meeting.

Treating DCIS with surgery and radiotherapy lowers cancer risk but benefits drop over time

A major study of women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) - a breast condition that can become invasive cancer—has shown that surgery to remove the tissue followed by radiotherapy offers better protection compared to surgery alone.

Virtual follow-up care is more convenient and just as beneficial to surgical patients

Surgical patients who participate in virtual follow-up visits after their operations spend a similar amount of time with surgical team members as those who meet face-to-face. Moreover, these patients benefit by spending less time waiting at and traveling to the clinic for in-person appointments, according to research findings presented at the virtual American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2020.