Editor's Note A recent article in AORN Journal underscores the need for vigilance and thorough documentation to manage postoperative mental status changes and prevent harm to both patients and staff. As detailed in the article, cognitive disturbances such as delirium and agitation can complicate recovery after surgery. Delirium is characterized…
Editor's Note Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may offer orthopedic patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes a powerful tool for preoperative weight loss and potential disease modification, according to a July 10 review article in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. However, the agents carry perioperative risks that…
An estimated 22 million Americans were believed to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in 2019, according to data cited in a February 2019 article published by OR Manager. At that time, up to 80% of cases were undiagnosed, and 30% to 40% of the surgical patient population was believed to…
Editor's Note Bariatric surgery produced five times greater weight loss than GLP-1 medications in a new study of over 51,000 patients with obesity, according to a June 18 article from Fox News. The retrospective study, funded by the NIH and conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Health and NYC Health…
Editor's Note A multidisciplinary expert panel has released the first evidence-based airway management guidelines specific to patients living with obesity. Published June 5 in Anaesthesia, the 43-point framework—developed by the Society of Obesity and Bariatric Anaesthesia (SOBA)—offers perioperative strategies aimed at improving the safety and consistency of care in a…
Editor's Note Patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) do not need to discontinue these medications before undergoing anesthesia but should follow extended preoperative fasting protocols to reduce aspiration risk, according to a June 5 article in Medscape. As detailed in the article, this recommendation comes from a new multidisciplinary…
Editor's Note Bariatric surgery improves survival and appears cost-effective over a decade for patients with obesity and compensated cirrhosis, according to an April 18 report in Healio. The findings, based on an analysis published in JAMA Surgery, suggest that bariatric surgery could fill a crucial gap in care for this…
Editor's Note New research shows bariatric surgery may offer better outcomes and lower overall spending than lifestyle changes for patients with cirrhosis, especially mild cases, Medscape reported April 9. The article focuses on a study published in Jama Surgery detailing both the survival benefits and long-term cost-effectiveness for patients with…
Editor's Note Preoperative use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was not significantly associated with an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia or acute respiratory failure after surgery, according to a March 4 report in MedPage Today. The article focuses on a retrospective cohort study of over 366,000 surgical patients found no meaningful…
Editor's Note A recent survey from Orlando Health highlights limited awareness of the link between bariatric surgery and improved fertility, with only half of respondents acknowledging its benefits. According to January 16 coverage in Contemporary OB/GYN, the findings underscore a broader knowledge gap among the US population regarding the role…