The results of a literature review support the belief that advanced age, in and of itself, should not be a contraindication for lumbar spinal surgery. Reuters Health Information
Although most maternal deaths are not preventable, thromboembolism prophylaxis could reduce death rates in women undergoing cesarean delivery, according to a report in the July American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Reuters Health Information
Catheter-directed intervention can be life-saving for patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) who fail to respond to or cannot receive systemic thrombolysis, according to a report in the August issue of Chest. Reuters Health Information
Improperly positioned tracheostomy tubes appear to be a "common and important" complication in patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation, clinicians report in August issue of the journal Chest. Reuters Health Information
Researchers have confirmed an association between blood transfusion and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and have identified multiple surgical procedures and anesthesia as additional risk factors, which have not previously been reported. Reuters Health Information
Early recognition and treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) led to improved outcome in a postoperative group of cancer patients with head and neck cancer, researchers report in the August issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Reuters Health Information
Metabolic syndrome in patients with morbid class II to III obesity can be cured by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, according to findings from a cohort study. Reuters Health Information
African health workers need more training and better tools to circumcise men and boys safely for HIV prevention, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) study chronicling "shocking" rates of complications. Reuters Health Information
Patients who are considered "high risk" can undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA) just as safely as other patients, and the operation is successful in preventing stroke essentially for the rest of their lives, results of a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons indicate. Reuters Health Information
Patients often have no spontaneous bleeding, but they can have serious and life-threatening bleeding with trauma or when undergoing surgical procedures. Transfusion Alternatives in Transfusion Medicine
