Personal Preference is Key when Debating Partial vs. Full Mastectomy

Approximately 75 % of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer are candidates for either mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (also called a partial mastectomy.)   Mastectomy is the removal of the entire breast, while breast-conserving surgery removes the cancerous tumor and part of the surrounding breast tissue. Breast-conserving surgery is usually followed by radiation therapy.

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Patient Care Quality a Top Priority at Premier

As health care reform continues to evolve, opinions differ on a variety of issues. But one thing that everyone agrees on is quality care for patients. Quality assurance and metrics are a top priority throughout the health care industry.

Likewise, quality has always been a primary focus at Premier Surgical Associates. That’s why I was honored to be selected to participate in the AHA-NPSF Comprehensive Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship, a program of the American Hospital Association and the National Patient Safety Foundation and one of the foremost patient safety leadership development program in the nation. (more…)

Study Recommends Lightweight Mesh for Hernia Repair

A recent study suggests that using lightweight mesh in open inguinal (groin) hernia repair is preferable to heavyweight mesh because it reduces the risk for chronic groin pain without increasing the risk for a recurrent hernia. (more…)

Appendectomy: Emergent or urgent?

When you think of someone in need of an appendectomy, you probably think of them being whisked off for emergency surgery as quickly as possible. For good reason: Appendectomies are the most common emergent surgical procedure performed worldwide.

A study reported in the September issue of the Archives of Surgery may change that way of thinking, however. The study indicates that when treating adults with acute appendicitis it is not harmful to delay appendectomy for 12 hours or more. (more…)