Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is most commonly caused by excessive and chronic alcohol use. But, this condition can also occur when the … [Read more...]
Treatment for Bladder Spasms
Treatment for Bladder Spasms Most surgical patients end up with a catheter placed into the bladder to drain urine (Foley catheter) some time during … [Read more...]
New Scoring System for Evaluating Improved Health After Weight Loss Surgery
The authors of a study published in the January, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons are proposing a new numerical scoring … [Read more...]
The Glasgow Score in Head Trauma
Head trauma is unfortunately very common in the United States and is a leading cause of death in the young adult age group. Diagnosing the severity of … [Read more...]
Lung Anatomy
Although most of the things in the body that exist in pairs are mirror images of each other the lungs are not. The right lung, which contains about … [Read more...]
Magnesium Serum Levels Inaccurate
Magnesium is a critically important nutrient in the body. It plays a major role in keeping the immune system functioning well and in keeping nerves … [Read more...]
Biopsy Technique For Moles
Biopsy Technique for Moles Almost universally surgeons recommend that an excisional biopsy be used when removing moles that are worrisome for … [Read more...]
Allergy To Surgical Staples
Allergy to Surgical Staples Surgical staples that are used to close skin incisions contain a significant amount of nickel. About 60% of Caucasians … [Read more...]
Stopping Glucophage (Metformin)
Almost all doctors recommend stopping metformin (a pill taken to control blood sugar in diabetes) at least 24 hours before any surgical procedure, … [Read more...]
Having Surgery – Part 2
Getting to the Hospital There are three basic pathways for going to surgery. The most common is to arrive at the hospital the day of surgery from … [Read more...]
The Toxic Transplant Patient
A 56 year old male smoker receives a liver transplant secondary to his advanced stage alcoholism and hepatitis C infection. The transplant surgery … [Read more...]
Quiz Questions for the USMLE
Preparing for the United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 1, 2 or 3 is difficult, time-consuming, and anxiety-provoking. Knowing the information … [Read more...]