Salivary Duct Clips Control Drooling in Neurologically Impaired Children
Interruption of major salivary ducts using vascular clips controls saliva and improves quality of life in neurologically challenged children, according to a report in the May issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. “Parents of children with salivary control problems need to be encouraged to seek for solutions,” Dr. Hamdy El-Hakim told Reuters […]
EU Agency Backs Schering-Plough Anaesthesia Drug
A new drug from Schering-Plough Corp aimed at helping patients emerge more quickly from anaesthesia has been recommended for approval in Europe, the region’s medicines watchdog said on Monday. The European Medicines Agency said Bridion, also known generically as sugammadex, was recommended for the reversal of neuromuscular block induced by rocuronium or vecuronium. Recommendations for […]
Nephron-Sparing Surgery Has Favorable Outcome in Children With Bilateral Wilms Tumor
It is technically feasible to perform bilateral nephron-sparing surgery in children with bilateral Wilms tumors, and the outcome is favorable in most cases, a team at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee in Memphis reports in the May 1 issue of Cancer. In a retrospective study, Dr. Andrew M. Davidoff and […]
Lapatinib May Offer “No-Chemo” Option in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Several studies exploring the use of lapatinib (Tykerb, GlaxoSmithKline) in metastatic breast cancer have suggested that it offers an alternative to chemotherapy in this setting, both as monotherapy and in combination with other targeted therapies. One study explored the use of lapatinib alone, whereas others investigated combinations with trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech/Roche), with bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech/Roche), […]
Teamwork Slashes Cardiac Surgery Wound Infection Rates
A multidisciplinary approach to maintaining optimal glycometabolism in cardiac surgery patients has led to an impressive reduction in deep sternal wound infection rates at one New England hospital. Lead investigator Dr. Robert Kramer of the Maine Medical Center in Portland told Reuters Health, “The team that participated in our tight glycemic control project demonstrated the […]
Molecular Phenotypes in Breast Cancer May Differ Between Primary Tumor and Sites of Recurrence
Among women with relapsed or metastatic breast cancer, the sites of cancer recurrence might have an estrogen-receptor (ER)/progesterone-receptor (PR) and/or HER2 status that is different than the primary tumor. Researchers here at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 44th Annual Meeting reported that a significant proportion (28%) of relapsed tumors had changes in either ER/PR […]
Similar Outcomes for Patients After Laparoscopic and Open Colorectal Cancer Resection
Laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection and open colectomy provide similar long-term patients outcomes, according to a new report. Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer is not performed commonly, the authors explain, because of concerns about oncological radicality and long-term outcome, according to the findings in the April 16th issue of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Dr. […]
Excision Not Required for Lobular Neoplasia
Lobular neoplasia, a common incidental finding on core needle biopsy of the breast, does not mandate excision, according to a report in the May 15th issue of Cancer. “In those patients where the lobular neoplasia is incidental to the clinical/radiologic findings, it can be safely followed with annual clinical and/or radiologic examinations,” Dr. Chandandeep S. […]
Rebleeding Often Occurs After Embolization of Gastroduodenal Hemorrhage
Angiographic embolization for gastroduodenal hemorrhage can be achieved technically in most patients, but in-hospital rebleeding occurs in almost half of cases, researchers report in the May issue of the Archives of Surgery. Dr. Paul V. Vignati of Hartford Hospital, Connecticut and colleagues conducted a retrospective study of 70 embolization procedures carried out over a 10-year […]
Blood Substitute Safely Reduces Need for Transfusion Following Elective Surgery
A hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC-201, Biopure Corporation) appears to be a safe substitute for blood transfusion, according to results of a multinational, phase III clinical trial among patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. However, the blood substitute may not be appropriate for high-risk patients and patients over the age of 80, the findings suggest. As described […]