News, publications and events from the Department of Surgery.
10/19/2009: Clots traveling from lower veins may not be the cause of pulmonary embolism in trauma patients
A report from a team of Massachusetts General Hospital physicians calls into question the longstanding belief that pulmonary embolism – the life-threatening blockage of a major blood vessel in the lungs – is caused in trauma patients by a blood clot traveling from vessels deep within the legs or lower torso.
08/24/2009: Minimally invasive surgery lessens pain of esophageal cancer
Christopher Morse, MD, of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital has been able to remove esophageal tumors using an innovative minimally invasive procedure that offers patients less postoperative pain and a shorter recovery time
06/29/2009: Incision-free gallbladder surgery
On May 20 David Rattner, MD, chief of General Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital Digestive Healthcare Center, performed New England’s first natural orifice surgery - completely incision free.
05/08/2009: Luncheon raises funds and skin cancer awareness
MGH Hotline 5.08.09 Approximately 100 people attended the Friends of the MGH Cancer Center’s annual fundraising forum April 22 in the Bulfinch Tents. This year’s event featured MGH skin cancer experts David Fisher, MD, PhD, chief of the Department of Dermatology and director of the Center for Melanoma, left, and Jennifer Wargo, MD, of the Department of Surgery.
05/08/2009: In General awards and honors
MGH Hotline 5.08.09 In General awards and honors
04/03/2009: Model tissue system reveals cellular communication via amino acids
A team of researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine has found the first evidence of cell-to-cell communication by amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, rather than by known protein signaling agents such as growth factors or cytokines.
04/01/2009: Moments in Surgery
MGH Hotline 4.3.09 Tribute to Charlie McCabe, MD, by MGH resident
03/11/2009: Cardiac surgery team simulates surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital’s cardiac surgical team is participating in operating room simulation work, a training regimen designed to reduce medical errors by drilling staff in emergent situations.
02/27/2009: MGH Durant fellows
MGH Hotline 2.27.09 As a true humanitarian, Thomas S. Durant, MD, spent his life bringing hope to some of the bleakest parts of the world. In honor of his service and compassion, the MGH Durant Fellowship in Refugee Medicine helps health care professionals bring their skills to those in critical need around the globe.
01/14/2009: Hospital pilot sites demonstrate surgical safety checklist drops deaths and complications by more than one third
A group of hospitals in eight cities around the globe has successfully demonstrated that the use of a simple surgical checklist during major operations can lower the incidence of deaths and complications by more than one third.
12/10/2008: Conquering Organ Rejection
A new breakthrough transplant procedure developed at Massachusetts General Hospital confirms that the problem of organ rejection can be mitigated without using immunosuppressive drugs, sparing transplant recipients a lifetime of side effects.
12/05/2008: Sailhamer wins paper competition
MGH Hotline: 12/05/08
12/05/2008: In General
MGH Hotline: 12/05/08
11/26/2008: Relief from GERD, once and for all
Finally, good news for patients who have chosen not to have surgery to treat their gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because they doubted surgery’s effectiveness. A new study reveals the benefits of a simple procedure that can vastly improve their quality of life. And, even better, the relief offered by this surgery is lasting and doesn’t require the hassle and expense of taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and other prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
11/07/2008: A Day in the Life
A day in the life of trauma surgeon Dr. George Velmahos.
10/22/2008: Surgery without scalpels?
It may sound like science fiction, but the possibility of surgery that can be completed without a scar may soon be a reality.
01/01/2006: Neuroendocrine Clinical Center Bulletin
Neuroendocrine Clinical Center Bulletin | Effect of Obesity on Growth Hormone Secretion
The Mass General Neuroendocrine Clinical Center Bulletin shares the latest information for health care professionals about clinical and research topics in neuroendocrine conditions.
05/27/2010: General Thoracic Surgery
Our annual post-graduate course in general thoracic surgery continues to fulfill its mission for the 40th season.
11/08/2009: Trauma and Critical Care Symposium
The Trauma and Critical Care Symposium provides in-depth and cutting-edge information in the field of critical care and trauma.
10/19/2009: Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS): Student Provider Course
The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course emphasizes the rapid initial assessment and primary management of the injured patient.
05/18/2009: Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS): Instructor Course
The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course emphasizes the rapid initial assessment and primary management of the injured patient.
05/07/2009: Vascular and Endovascular Surgery: Current Concepts and Techniques - 2009
This course is intended to provide an in‑depth examination of a spectrum of topics related to the management of patients with vascular disease.
04/17/2009: Advances in Colorectal Surgery
During this two-day course, experts will present topics in the field of colorectal surgery.
03/30/2009: Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS): Student Provider Course
The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Course emphasizes the rapid initial assessment and primary management of the injured patient.
