Five things to know about vasectomy

Vasectomy is a safe, simple and common procedure which blocks sperm from reaching semen as a form of birth control.

Understanding ECMO

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation helps the body recover during heart or lung failure.

What is DIEP Flap Surgery?

Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Rachel Anolik, MD, in white coat with teal background

State-of-the-art breast reconstruction provides natural results after mastectomy.

Lung Cancer – The Basics

Learn more about lung cancer types, symptoms and treatment from Washington University surgeons at Siteman Cancer Center.

Sarcoma – What It Is and How It’s Treated

Sarcomas are a cancerous condition that manifests in different types of tissue. Symptoms include progressively enlarged or painful lumps that are superficial, deep or in the joints. There are many options for diagnosing sarcomas, and their progress or stage determines treatment options. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that often doesn’t cause symptoms, which makes screenings vitally important if you develop any new and unidentified lumps.

Life After Bariatric Surgery: Activities & Diet

Making the decision to undergo weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, can be difficult. They may have questions about their life after their procedure, wonder what sort of diet restrictions they will have, and question who will be there to support them before and after surgery. Washington University bariatric surgeons are partners in their patient’s […]

Department of Surgery New Faculty: July 2022

The Department of Surgery welcomes new Chair, John Olson, MD, and the Divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Public Health Sciences and Urologic Surgery welcome new faculty.

Are Hernia Belts Effective?

Illustration of abdominal wall muscles on human skeleton

A hernia belt can provide temporary relief, but surgery is the only way to fix a hernia.

Blood Donation: What, How and Why

Washington University patients benefit from blood donations during surgery and in critical care situations. Learn about the “what, how, and why” of blood donation.

Life After Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss surgery is part of a lifelong journey. Learn more about life after surgery.

A Beautiful New Heart: Audrey’s Story

Baby Audrey smiling in red dress at birthday party holding parents' hands.

Audrey was born with a rare combination of heart conditions. Thanks to an organ donor and the St. Louis Children’s and Washington University Heart Center team, she celebrated her first birthday at home with a new heart.

Body Mass Index: Explained

Washington University bariatric surgeons use measures like body mass index (BMI) to determine whether their patients are eligible for weight loss surgery.

High Blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction

Doctor taking a blood pressure reading with cuff and stethoscope.

Both high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction are common among older men. Understanding the relationship between these conditions could help men find the treatment that’s right for them.

Demystifying the Circulatory System

Blood cells circulating through a vessel

The Department of Surgery explains terminology and components of the circulatory system. We use plain language to explain to describe what arteries, vessels, and related structures are, how they are different and some common conditions that affect them.

Four-Year Grant Awarded to Acute and Critical Care Research Project

Dr. Isaiah Turnbull, a researcher and surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, has received a four-year $1.5 million grant for his research on immunosuppression induced by burn injuries. This work is in partnership with the Military Burn Research Program.

A Durable Treatment for Recurrent Hernias

Research by Washington University hernia surgeons finds a durable solution for treating complex recurrent ventral hernias. The findings are published in the journal Surgery.

Neurogenic bladder: Common causes

Problems with signals from the nervous system to the bladder cause neurogenic bladder.

Neurogenic bladder is a condition in which the nerves signaling to the bladder have been damaged, resulting in dysfunction of the bladder muscles and function. Common causes include genetic nerve problems, birth defects, injury, stroke, diabetes, infection, brain or spinal cord tumors. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medicinal treatments and surgery.