Posts Tagged ‘surgery’

For the very first time, a surgical technique used to treat vitiligo patients in Europe, Asia and the Middle East has been performed in the US and shown to be effective in treating the skin condition. Called melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation (MKTP), the surgical technique involves harvesting healthy skin cells from a part of the body unaffected by vitiligo, a disease which causes white patchy skin discoloration. These healthy cells are then applied to an affected area and covered with a specially developed adhesive biologic dressing. Over time, researchers have found that in some patients the affected areas of skin began to regain their ability to produce skin pigment. The study was presented yesterday, March 9, at the 68th annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting in Miami. [via PhysOrg]

Read more at the Guide To Vitiligo.

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If you’re considering Botox injections to diminish wrinkles or other cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction or face lifts, to turn back the hands of time, now would be a good time to do it if you don’t want to pay a 5% tax on these services. The $848 billion health care bill unveiled this past week by the Senate includes a 5% tax on aesthetic procedures and surgeries which is estimated to raise $5 billion over the next decade to fund the health care bill. Plastic surgeons are, not surprisingly, against such a tax due to its potential effect on income. On the other hand, proponents of the tax reason that some cosmetic procedures are luxury services and should be taxed as such. Approximately 12 million cosmetic procedures and surgeries  (which are usually not covered by insurance) were performed last year, at a total cost of $10.3 billion, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. [via Kaiser Health News]

The following were the most popular cosmetic procedures of 2008, and their costs:

Top Five Minimally Invasive Procedures

• Botox – $391
• Hyaluronic Acid (to fill in wrinkles) – $578
• Chemical Peel – $815
• Laser Hair Removal – $456
• Microdermabrasion – $200

Top Five Surgical Procedures

• Breast Augmentation – $3,348
• Nose Reshaping – $4,197
• Liposuction – $2,881
• Eyelid Surgery – $2,963
• Tummy Tuck – $5,167

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The journal Cancer reports on a new study which shows that women previously treated for breast cancer have a higher risk of cancer recurrence if they have highly dense breasts. Women who were classified as having highly dense breasts had a 21% chance of cancer recurrence, compared to 5% among women with low-density breasts. Because of this the study authors suggest that women with highly dense breasts may benefit from additional therapies, such as radiation, after breast and lymph node surgery. [via Medical News Today]

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Dr. Bahman Guyuron, Chair of Plastic Surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine noted a decade ago that many patients who underwent forehead rejuvenation saw a disappearance in migraine symptoms after surgery. It was this astute observation which gave him the idea to use surgery as a means to alleviate the pain of migraines. By detecting superficial trigger sites on the muscles of the head and then removing or diminishing their affects on nerves, Dr. Guyuron has shown strong evidence that surgical manipulation of one or more migraine trigger sites can successfully eliminate or reduce the frequency, duration, and/or intensity of migraine headaches with lasting results. [via Science Daily]

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Stanford University researchers have found that regions with high concentrations of MRI machines also have increased rates of back surgery among patients who present with new back pain. Is there a problem with this? Well, perhaps, especially since we know that increased surgery rates doesn’t necessarily improve patient outcome. In fact, surgery has its risks and often times will not completely cure back pain. Between 2000 and 2005, the MRI availability in the U.S.  more than tripled, from 7.6 to 26.6 machines per 1 million people. Each machine costs more than $2 million and one low-back scan costs $1,500. Increased rates of scans and surgeries increase the total health care dollars spent on treatment of back pain, one of the most common reasons for physician visits today. [via Medical News Today]

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New research published in the obstetrics and gynecological journal BJOG shows that giving women sugarless chewing gum after cesarean section seemed to help them recover normal bowel function and shorten their time in the hospital. After abdominal surgeries intestinal function often become sluggish and may require a few days to return to normal. However, researchers say that chewing gum may help because the act of chewing sets off a nervous system response and release of digestive hormones which stimulate bowel activity. The cost and time savings should not be underestimated, especially in countries with limited health care resources. [via MSNBC]

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A former employee at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York state was arrested earlier this month and accused of knowingly exposing numerous surgical patients to hepatitis C.  Kristen Diane Parker was apparently injecting herself with painkillers meant for patients, then refilling the syringes with saline solution for subsequent use, even though she knew she was infected with hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne disease that can cause serious liver problems, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Northern Westchester Hospital is notifying approximately 2,800 patients who had surgery there to come in for testing. The hospital has set up a patient help line at 914-666-1902 for more information. [via CBS news]

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The EndoBarrier is a new technology that may be an alternative to gastric surgery for people who are dangerously obese. It’s an impermeable sleeve that can be deployed in the stomach to line the first 60 centimeters of the small intestine. The barrier is designed to remain in place for a few months and prevents the intestine from absorbing calories.  In animal experiments and preliminary human trials, it reduces weight and rapidly brings type 2 diabetes under control. Weight gain (especially around the waist) is associated with type 2 diabetes.

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“TOGA” is the acronym for transoral gastroplasty, a new type of weight loss surgery that involves making the stomach smaller by stapling it – by way of the mouth, rather than through incisions on the outside of the body. The procedure has now been performed on 98 individuals in Europe and and Mexico and, on average, those who have passed the one year mark have lost about 40% of their excess body weight. Only a few patients have tried it so far in the US as part of a study funded by Satiety, Inc., the company which makes the staplers. They are hoping to get FDA approval for the procedure, which falls in line with a current trend to make surgery less invasive and less painful. By not making incisions, you minimize many of the risks and side effects of surgery.

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A new study published in the journal Archives of Surgery suggests that chewing gum can aid recovery after gastrointestinal surgery. Some believe that the increased amounts of saliva produced from gum chewing helps to “jump start” the gut by stimulating gut function. The researchers believe more studies are needed, especially since this intervention has the potential for substantial cost savings. Full story.

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