Researchers at The Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio, determined the effect of smoking in noncardiac surgical patients. (more…)

Organ transplant recipients experience high levels of anxiety, pain, and nausea.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota, conducted the first study on the effects of music therapy on solid organ transplant patients. (more…)

Prof. Ernst has reviewed all the studies. (more…)

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, studied role of massage therapy following surgery. (more…)

Researchers at Orebro University Hospital, in Sweden, evaluated the effect of bed rest + music on the first day after surgery in order to decrease stress. (more…)

It’s generally assumed that older adults may experience memory loss and other problems in cognition (reasoning) following surgery.

Results from a study at Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri suggest otherwise. (more…)

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden, studied whether a smoking cessation program, started during hospitalization, might reduce complications following emergency surgical treatment of fractures. (more…)

Arnica montana and other homoeopathic extracts have been used to control inflammation, swelling, and blood loss, with controversial result, say researchers from Université de Lyon, in France.

They are the first to study A. montana + Bryonia albain (for irritability and aches) in cardiac surgery, which is often followed by blood loss and involves substantial systemic inflammation. (more…)

Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, in Columbia reviewed 8 studies and came to different conclusions than researchers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Let’s compare notes. (more…)

The inability to take food by mouth, pass gas, and have a bowel movement is a common problem that usually lasts not more than 3 days. When it lasts more than 4 days it’s called prolonged postoperative ileus. It’s uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.

Researchers from the US and China tell us that electro-acupuncture probably isn’t a useful option. (more…)

Capsicum plaster at classical Chinese acupoints is an alternative to acupuncture for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting, sore throat, and pain.

Researchers from Hanyang University Hospital in Seoul, Korea studied capsicum plaster at Hegu (LI 4) acupoints (photo) in patients after orthognathic surgery. (more…)

 Researchers from the Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil evaluated the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy during the immediate postoperative period among patients who had elective upper abdominal surgery. (more…)

Prof. Ernst and colleagues report, “The evidence that auricular acupuncture reduces postoperative pain is promising.

But is it compelling? (more…)

Cochrane review reports, “Exercise programs starting 4 to 6 weeks after the operation could lead to more rapid pain relief and a quicker recovery from disability — without increasing the risk of additional surgery” (more…)

Since pre-medication isn’t widely accepted in spinal anesthesia, researchers from Saitama Medical University, in Kawagoe, Japan studied the potential benefits of music therapy to control anxiety. (more…)

 Researchers from Ain Shams University, in Cairo, Egypt report it’s safe, well tolerated, and associated with rapid resumption of intestinal motility and shorter hospital stay. (more…)

Dr. Zoe Draelos from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina reports on the use of onion extract gel to improve the appearance of scars. (more…)

Acupuncture around the time of surgery may reduce acute postoperative pain, according to this 2008 review by researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. (more…)

 This study assessed magnetic acupressure to prevent nausea and vomiting following ear-nose-throat (ENT) or gynecological surgeries.

But should we apply these findings to other forms of acupuncture? (more…)

OK, you’re scheduled for surgery, and you take herbals.

Does your surgeon know what you take?

Be smart. If you use any of the herbals on this list, tell your surgeon.

(more…)