Editor's Note  A surgical robot independently performed a lengthy phase of gallbladder removal with expert-level precision, according to a July 9 announcement from Johns Hopkins university. "This advancement moves us from robots that can execute specific surgical tasks to robots that truly understand surgical procedures," said medical roboticist Axel Krieger,…

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Editor's Note Low-dose dexmedetomidine effectively stabilizes blood pressure and heart rate during key perioperative stages in gastrointestinal tumor patients with moderate to severe anxiety, according to a July 1 study published in BMC Psychiatry.   Researchers enrolled 100 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gastrointestinal tumor resection. Anxiety levels were measured using…

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Editor's Note Independent gastroenterology (GI) practices face mounting pressures from inflation, labor shortages, and regulatory burden, but five distinct strategies offer owners a path forward, Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News May 23 reports. As detailed in the article, GI practices—especially smaller ones, which make up the majority of the approximately 2,100…

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Editor's Note Coinciding with Colon Cancer Awareness Month, AMSURG—a leading provider of ambulatory surgery center (ASC) services and GI care—has launched an educational push to boost colonoscopies and reduce soaring colon cancer rates, particularly among younger adults, a March 3 press release reports. The campaign highlights the lifesaving impact of…

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Editor's Note Early surgical intervention should be prioritized over endoscopy-first treatment in managing chronic pancreatitis with dilated pancreatic ducts, according to the results of a follow-up study of the ESCAPE randomized clinical trial. Published November 20 in JAMA Surgery, the findings specifically highlight pain relief, patient satisfaction, and need for…

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Editor's Note Patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have a higher risk of food retention during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) when performed alone, but not when combined with a colonoscopy, according to a retrospective study from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. MedPage Today reported the news October 1. The study included 70 patients…

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Editor's Note Evidence is mounting for the use of antibiotics as a valid alternative to surgery for acute appendicitis, including in pediatric cases, the Washington Post reported August 17. The article details how this treatment—described as a “dark secret” by one expert testifying to its use in the 1950s, prior…

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Editor's Note New findings from health consultant Sg2’s 2024 Impact of Change report projects a 21% increase in ambulatory surgery center (ASC) volume, to reach 44 million by 2034, ASC Focus July 8 reports. An aging population, better diagnostics, and epidemiological factors are driving this demand, Tori Richie, senior consulting…

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Editor's Note Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) reduces cardiovascular risk factors independent of calorie restriction and weight loss, according to a recent study published in JAMA Surgery. News-Medical.Net reported on the study July 4. Bariatric surgery, particularly RYGB, is more effective than non-surgical treatments for significant weight reduction and lowering cardiovascular…

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Editor's Note Research shows perioperative weight loss does not consistently improve outcomes or OR times in patients undergoing primary bariatric procedures, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The findings were published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Using…

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