surgery

New imaging system and artificial intelligence algorithm accurately identify brain tumors

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Published in Nature Medicine on January 6, the study examined the diagnostic accuracy of brain tumor image classification through machine learning, compared with the accuracy of pathologist interpretation of conventional histologic images. The results for both methods were comparable: the AI-based diagnosis was 94.6% accurate, compared with 93.9% for the pathologist-based interpretation. The imaging technique, stimulated Raman … Read more

Healing power of honey

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Layering minute amounts of Manuka honey between layers of surgical mesh acts as a natural antibiotic that could prevent infection following an operation, new research has shown. Meshes are used to help promote soft tissue healing inside the body following surgery and are common in operations such as hernia repair. However, they carry with them … Read more

Building a better breast with eye-tracking technology

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What makes the female breast attractive? The answer is subjective, of course. But studies using eye-tracking technology are providing a more objective basis for determining which breast areas are most attractive – which may help to improve the outcomes of surgery, reports the December issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the … Read more

Tendon stem cells could revolutionize injury recovery

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The buildup of scar tissue makes recovery from torn rotator cuffs, jumper’s knee, and other tendon injuries a painful, challenging process, often leading to secondary tendon ruptures. New research led by Carnegie’s Chen-Ming Fan and published in Nature Cell Biology reveals the existence of tendon stem cells that could potentially be harnessed to improve tendon healing and … Read more

Keep organs cool for transplantation

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Rapid cooling of animal and human donor hearts may decrease accumulation of a chemical that damages the tissue after transplantation, according to a new study in Nature Metabolism. These findings explain why cold organ storage is beneficial for organ preservation, and they may also lead to improved solutions for more efficient use of the limited pool … Read more

3D virtual reality models help yield better surgical outcomes

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A UCLA-led study has found that using three-dimensional virtual reality models to prepare for kidney tumor surgeries resulted in substantial improvements, including shorter operating times, less blood loss during surgery and a shorter stay in the hospital afterward. Previous studies involving 3D models have largely asked qualitative questions, such as whether the models gave the … Read more

A ‘super-cool’ method for improving donated liver preservation

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A new method for super-cooling human donor livers to subzero centigrade temperatures without freezing can triple the time that a donor organ stays safe and viable during transportation from the donor to the recipient. This development could greatly expand the availability of healthy livers for transplantation, improve organ utilization, and reduce some of the time … Read more

‘MasSpec Pen’ for accurate cancer detection during surgery

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A major challenge for cancer surgeons is to determine exactly where a tumor starts and where it ends. Removing too much tissue can impair normal functions, but not taking enough can mean the disease could recur. The “MasSpec Pen,” a handheld device in development, could someday enable surgeons to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissue … Read more

Surgery simulators are key to assessment of trainees

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Machine learning-guided virtual reality simulators can help neurosurgeons develop the skills they need before they step in the operating room, according to a new study. Research from the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Learning Centre at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital) and McGill University shows that machine learning algorithms can accurately assess the capabilities of … Read more