Extended pleurectomy/decortication, a long-standing operative procedure offered for over 70 years, has recently come under scrutiny due to alarming new trial data in operable mesothelioma. Thoracic surgeon Eric Lim from the Royal Brompton Hospital in London reveals that this procedure, once considered a standard, is associated with a higher risk of mortality, more severe complications, diminished quality of life, and increased costs. The implications of these findings are profound, as they challenge the efficacy and safety of a well-established surgical technique.
Phenylephrine, an over-the-counter oral decongestant widely used to alleviate nasal congestion, is the subject of an ongoing controversy. Dr. Paul Pisarik, an FDA advisory panel member from ArchWell Health in Tulsa, Oklahoma, dismisses its effectiveness, stating unequivocally, “As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t work.” This statement raises concerns about the true benefits of phenylephrine and underscores the need for further research and investigation into its efficacy.
Patisiran (Onpattro), a medication designed to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, has caught the attention of the medical community. Dr. Edward Kasper of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine highlights the delicate balance between benefit and risk associated with this drug. He aptly describes this balance as “light wind for benefit and no wind for risk.” This analogy serves to emphasize the complexity of evaluating the potential advantages and disadvantages of medical interventions like Patisiran.
Concerns have arisen regarding the management of surgical patients who are prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists, medications commonly used to control blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. Dr. Kathryn Cobb from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill criticizes the current approach taken by some anesthesiologists, warning that they may be intubating patients on these medications unnecessarily. Moreover, she raises the possibility that anesthesiologists are employing techniques typically reserved for high-risk patients, putting individuals at a lower risk for aspiration in danger.
Medical students have long faced significant challenges when it comes to mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue. Dr. J. Wesley Boyd from Baylor College of Medicine sheds light on the additional burden of out-of-network costs that medical students encounter when seeking mental health treatment. This calls attention not only to the struggles faced by medical students but also to the wider disparities in mental healthcare access that persist in our society.
Dr. Daniel Claassen from Vanderbilt University Medical Center draws attention to the disparities between Black and white patients with Huntington’s disease. While Huntington’s disease may be a rare condition, Dr. Claassen argues that it serves as a microcosm of the broader landscape of neurodegenerative diseases in the United States. Understanding and addressing these disparities is essential to ensuring equitable access to diagnostic tools, treatments, and support for all patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases.
The medical field’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and improvement sometimes leads to surprising revelations. The findings discussed in this article challenge long-standing practices, raise important questions about established medications, shed light on the delicate balance between benefits and risks, uncover potential shortcomings in patient management, and highlight persistent healthcare disparities. Our ability to critically analyze and reevaluate established practices is crucial for advancing medical knowledge, improving patient care, and striving towards a more equitable and effective healthcare system.