General Surgery News CME/CE

• Statins May Reduce Cancer Deaths in COPD Patients: Study CME In a Dutch study, treatment with statins in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a reduced mortality risk from extrapulmonary cancer.
  Reuters Health Information CME, November 2009
• Three-Day Course of Antibiotics May Be Effective After Pediatric Tonsillectomy CME In a small, randomized trial, a 3-day course of antibiotics was as effective as a 7-day course in terms of postoperative analgesic use and resumption of normal diet and activity.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Drinking Coffee Daily Linked to Lower Risk for Progression of Chronic Hepatitis C CME In a large prospective study, regular coffee drinking consumption was associated with lower rates of progression of advanced hepatitis C–related liver disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Radiologic Scale Helps Predict Disease Severity in Infants With Necrotizing Enterocolitis CME In a case-control study, the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale assisted clinicians in determining the severity of disease and the need for surgery in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.
  Medscape Medical News CME, November 2009
• Superobesity, Greater Chronic Disease Burden Linked to Higher Mortality After Bariatric Surgery CME From 2000 through 2006, long-term mortality rate after bariatric surgery was greater in superobese veterans and in those with a greater burden of chronic disease.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Treatment Method After a Miscarriage Does Not Affect Subsequent Pregnancies CME In a randomized controlled trial, the method of miscarriage management did not affect subsequent pregnancy rates, suggesting that long-term fertility concerns need not affect choice of treatment.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Minimally Invasive Synthetic Suburethral Sling Operations May Be Effective CME A systematic review suggests that these procedures are as effective for stress urinary incontinence as more invasive procedures but with fewer postoperative complications.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Infliximab Linked to Lower Colectomy Rates in Moderate to Severe Active Ulcerative Colitis CME In randomized controlled trials, patients treated with infliximab for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis were less likely to undergo colectomy through 54 weeks vs those receiving placebo.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Surgery Provides Modest Benefit for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome CME A new trial shows that surgery can be useful for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and no denervation.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Certain Prophylactic Medications Reduce Risk for Breast Cancer but May Increase Other Risks CME A systematic review shows a reduced risk for primary breast cancer but an increased risk for thromboembolic events (tamoxifen, raloxifene), endometrial cancer (tamoxifen), or stroke (tibolone).
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Frequent, Brisk Exercise After Menopause Lowers Breast Cancer Risk CME Among the few modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, a high vs a low level of physical activity has been consistently associated with a 20% to 40% reduced risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• FDA Safety Changes: Arixtra, Sulfonylureas, Tobramycin CME/CE The FDA has approved safety labeling revisions for fondaparinux sodium, glipizide and glipizide extended-release tablets, micronized glyburide, glipizide/metformin, glyburide, and tobramycin.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• Drain Reduces Hematoma Recurrence After Burr-Hole Evacuation CME Results from a randomized clinical trial confirm that a drain drastically reduces subdural hematoma recurrence and mortality rates at 6 months.
  Medscape Medical News CME, October 2009
• High Fiber Intake Linked to Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer CME/CE In a new study, which is the first to examine the association between dietary fiber and breast cancer by histologic type, the risk for breast cancer decreases as total fiber intake increases.
  Reuters Health Information CME, October 2009
• Management of Biceps Tendinitis and Tendinosis Reviewed CME A review for family physicians covers diagnosis and treatment of biceps tendinitis and tendinosis.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• No Relationship Between Significant Carotid Stenosis and Stroke After Cardiac Surgery CME No association was found between carotid stenosis and stroke after cardiac surgery. The study may answer the question of whether carotid endarterectomy before or during heart surgery provides benefit.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• FDA Approvals: H1N1 Vaccine, Ova1, Vibativ CME/CE The FDA has approved 4 vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 virus, a blood test to detect ovarian cancer, and telavancin to treat MRSA skin infections.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Weight Loss May Help Preserve Renal Function in Obese Patients With Kidney Disease CME A systematic review and meta-analysis shows that weight loss achieved by diet and exercise is associated with decreased proteinuria and could prevent additional decline in kidney function.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Risk for Breast Cancer Recurrence Decreased by Lifestyle Changes CME/CE Obesity, moderate alcohol use, and smoking appear to significantly increase the risk of developing second breast cancer among breast cancer survivors.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009
• Celiac Disease Linked to Modestly Increased Mortality CME A retrospective cohort study shows that the risk for death among patients with celiac disease, inflammation, or latent celiac disease is modestly increased.
  Medscape Medical News CME, September 2009