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Articles on Surgery

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Grey’s Anatomy’s portrayal of trauma experiences is far more dramatic than in real life. IMDb/Shondaland, The Mark Gordon Company, Touchstone Television (2005-2007), ABC Studios

Grey’s Anatomy is unrealistic, but it might make junior doctors more compassionate

A new study compared fictional patient experiences in Grey’s Anatomy with real trauma cases. It concluded patients who are fans of the show might have unrealistic expectations of medical care.
Surgeons in Switzerland use the robot da Vinci to aid a hernia operation. Over a third of US hospitals have at least one surgical robot. AP Photo/Keystone, Salvatore Di Nolfi

Young doctors struggle to learn robotic surgery – so they are practicing in the shadows

There are more robots than ever in the operating room – but that’s led to fewer opportunities for surgical trainees. Now, some new doctors are teaching themselves in secret.
Zawadi Juluis Saidi had reconstructive surgery on her cleft lip at a Dar es Salaam hospital. African children face huge barriers to surgery. Reuters/Sala Lewis

How partnerships are helping cleft lip and palate surgeries in Kenya

Fixing facial birth defects helps a child’s optimal growth. But collaboration is needed if developing countries are to increase access to reconstructive surgery.
At present, surgeons vary widely in their approach to opioid prescription and some patients use opioids for prolonged periods post-surgery. (Shutterstock)

Surgeons and the opioid crisis: We need prescription guidelines

Surgeons are big prescribers of opioids. But while guidelines are in place for dentists and for doctors who prescribe opioid-based painkillers for long-term pain, there are none for surgeons.
General anesthetics affect cellular proteins to knock us out. Some do so better than others, especially the noble gas Xenon. (Shutterstock)

Science lesson: How anesthetics work, and why xenon’s perfect

How do anesthetics work, and what makes for an ideal anesthetic? It’s not as mysterious as once believed, and there’s a gas that ticks all the boxes for a perfect anesthetic: xenon.
Surgeons admit to unintentional mistakes when performing delicate surgery.

Surgeons admit to mistakes in surgery and would use robots if they reduced the risks

Surgeons say minor unintentional damage can happen during surgery, and much of that goes unreported. They say they would be prepared to use robotic tools if they could be shown to help.
Society has long treated people with extra limbs as anatomical oddities. But having an extra body part or organ is surprisingly common and many people don’t know they have them. Ddicksson/Wikimedia Commons

An extra organ or body part is more common than you think

Most people don’t know if they have a hidden extra organ. But they’re surprisingly common and often harmless.

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