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A randomized controlled intervention study has been carried out to compare the length of survival of older post-surgical cancer patients who received a specialized hone care intervention from advanced practice nurses with that of patients who received usual follow-up care in an ambulatory setting. Potential predictors of survival were assessed in various ways. The first empirical study of post-surgical cancer patients to link a specialized home care intervention by advanced practice nurses with improved survival has produced some data, but more research is needed.

Managing postsurgical pain continues to be one of the nation's top clinical care priorities and concerns. Despite widely publicized national care guidelines, effective pain management for all patients is not a reality. This study explored how nurses in a community hospital documented the process of pain management for a group of postsurgical patients. The results have implications for all adult health nurses., More than 23 million surgical procedures are performed annually in the United States (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research [AHCPR], 1992a). Effective pain management is an overriding goal and [...]

Patients who have undergone operation go through two phases of recovery from the effects of anesthesia. Monitoring the patient in these two phases is critical to the patient's recovery. The patient must be monitored competently to prevent complications that may arise due to the effects of anesthesia. Pulmonary support is given by administering oxygen and maintaining a patent airway. The cardiovascular system should also be assessed by monitoring the patient's vital signs. The patient's neurologic status should also be assessed continuously., How well you understand the effects of surgery - and the complications that can occur immediately after - can make or break your patient postop recovery. The procedures and drugs [...]

BACKGROUND: The authors examined the efficacy of human growth hormone (HGH) in patients dependent on mechanical ventilation who were being weaned from the respirator. METHODS: A total of 53 patients were chosen by the primary surgical team in consultation with the critical care service to undergo HGH therapy. These patients had been receiving standard ICU support and had failed standard ventilator weaning protocols. As such, they were treated with HGH in an attempt to increase respiratory muscle strength and facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: General demographic information was recorded. Patients suffered from a high incidence of co-morbid conditions and infectious complications. The average duration of HGH therapy was 38 days, and 81 % of the previously unwearable patients were eventually weaned from mechanical ventilation with an overall survival of 76%. Mortality as predicted by APACHE II Scores was significantly less than actual mortality (24% actual mortality vs. 42% predicted mortality, P

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic leakage is a relatively uncommon but serious complication following vascular procedures. A conservative approach consisting of bed rest, leg elevation, prophylactic antibiotics, compressive dressings, and intermittent aspiration is the most commonly used treatment. Because of the long time it takes to cure this condition and the potential for infections, a more aggressive approach consisting of wound exploration and ligation of the leaking lymphatic has been proposed. We review our experience of the past 3 years treating 17 of these complications by using 1 of these 2 approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen groin complications were seen over a period of 3 years. Ten (59%) patients were treated by selective ligation assisted with isosulfan blue dye injection, and the remaining 7 (41%) were treated conservatively. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay was 2.4 days (range 1 to 4) for the operative group versus 19 days (range 14 to 42) for the conservative group. One complication was seen in the operative group, whereas 4 (57%) patients developed groin infections following conservative therapy. One (10%) patient developed a recurrence following ligation that was treated successfully by reoperation. CONCLUSION: Our experience with the use of surgical ligation of leaking lymphatic assisted by isosulfan blue, when compared with conservative treatment, has led to a decrease in hospital stay, lower complication rates, and fewer recurrences. in our view, this approach represents the best form of treatment for postoperative groin lymphatic complications. Am J Surg. 1995;170: 206-208.

Oxygen helps reduce post-op infections Some things work best when they're filled with lots of air--campaign promises, for example. Here's another: your body on an operating table. In a recent [...]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Trimodality therapy outperformed surgery alone in the treatment of stage I-III esophageal cancer in a prospective, randomized study presented at a symposium sponsored by the American Society [...]