Cardiothoracic trainees present research and visiting professor delivers lecture at annual Kouchoukos Research Day.
Nicholas T. Kouchoukos Research Day 2022
Category: Research
Stories featuring basic science, translational and clinical research from throughout the Department of Surgery.
Brown Receives Paul LoGerfo Research Award
AAES Foundation award recognizes Brown’s investigations in new therapies for aggressive thyroid cancer.
Breast Reconstruction in Virtual Reality: Innovations in Plastic Surgery
Surgeons use virtual reality headsets for intraoperative planning of DIEP flap breast reconstruction.
Diagnosing Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – How Reliable Are Current Testing Methods?
Two new studies tackle questions regarding the reliability of the standardized elevated arm stress test in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
James Barrett Brown Visiting Professor and Research Day 2022
Visiting professor and research presentations honor legacy of plastic surgery chair.
Olumba and Newcomer Named Winners of the 21st Annual Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Resident Research Day Competition
Four finalists presented research at 2022 Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Research Day Competition and two winners were selected by faculty vote
Research Supports Short Course Radiation as a New Standard of Care for Rectal Cancer
Research conducted by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine has demonstrated the improvement of rectal cancer treatment through short course radiation therapy. This regimen may represent a new standard for treatment in eliminating localized rectal cancer.
Cardiothoracic Faculty and Trainees Attend American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 102nd Annual Meeting
Several Washington University cardiothoracic surgery faculty members and trainees trekked to Boston to attend the American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 102nd Annual Meeting.
Urology Faculty, Trainees Present Research at the 2022 American Urological Association Annual Meeting
Washington University urologic surgery faculty members and trainees travelled to New Orleans, LA, to attend the 2022 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting.
Research to Improve Breast Cancer Screening Indicates High Interest from Patients
Breast cancer screening is necessary to detect this condition early enough to have an effective treatment program. Research by investigators at Washington University indicate that patients who hear conflicting information about screening are still interested in attending screening.
Vicky Peck, RN, and Erica Traxel, MD, Receive Barnes-Jewish Hospital Team Award for Quality Improvement
Vicky Peck, RN, Patient Safety and Quality Coordinator, and Erica Traxel, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, helped create a culture of safety in the Division of Urologic Surgery by developing a program to track ureteral stents.
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.
Surgeons Study Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery Technique Developed at Washington University
Washington University School of Medicine cardiac surgeons review the long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of this procedure in patients with life-threatening heart arrhythmia.
Kristin Geile, RN, MSN, CCRC, Named Finalist for St. Louis Magazine’s Excellence in Nursing Awards
The Department of Surgery’s Kristin Geile, RN, MSN, CCRC, was recently named a finalist for St. Louis Magazine’s 2022 Excellence in Nursing Awards.
Identifying Causes of Vascular Damage in Lung Transplantation
Investigators from the Thoracic Immunology Laboratory have identified pathways leading to ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. Their findings are published in the journal PNAS.
Understanding Innate Immunity in Lung Transplantation
Washington University General Surgery residents and leaders of the Thoracic Immunobiology Laboratory collaborated to discuss the body’s innate immune responses that could lead to lung injury and allograft failure.
The Impact of Persistent Smoking on Outcomes After Lung Cancer Surgery
Researchers from Washington University and Siteman Cancer Center conduct research on patient health outcomes after surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer to understand if persistent smoking after surgery is associated with worse survival. They conclude that persistent smoking after surgery decreases the survival rates of patients.
Ask the Research Director: Research During Residency with Ryan C. Fields, MD
Residency applicants need to know the fit of a program’s research education to their interests and needs. Ryan C. Fields, MD, the Director of Resident Research for the General Surgery Residency Program at Washington University, explains why WashU is an ideal location for research in surgery.
Disparities After Surgery: Readmission from Complications More Common for People of Color
Physicians at Washington University School of Medicine conducted a research study on the disparities of post-surgery complications and readmission, visualizing differences of readmission between white and non-white patients. Patients of color are more likely to require readmission after surgery, which may be related to other lived disparities, such as barriers to accessing equal healthcare to their white counterparts.
$2 Million Grant to Develop Sequestered Vascular Surgery Technology
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Caeli Vascular, Inc., are developing the first sequestered therapy device for removal of deep vein thrombosis.
Following His Heart: Connor Callahan, MD, MSc, Completes Coveted Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society Fellowship
WashU General Surgery resident Connor Callahan, MD, MSc, trained as the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society John W. Kirklin-David Ashburn Fellow in Toronto.
Toriola and Zayed Awarded NIH Research Grants
Surgeons Adetunji Toriola, MD, PhD and Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD from the Department of Surgery have received prestigious R01 grants from National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their research in cancer and vascular medicine, respectively.
WashU CT hosts Inaugural STL Shock Symposium
The St. Louis Shock Symposium aims to help attendees understand of the optimal treatments of cardiogenic shock and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The Importance of Comfort: Patient Gender Selection in Colorectal Surgery
Colorectal screening, diagnosis and treatment are integral parts of overall health, but obstacles related to patient comfort can prevent effective medical intervention for colorectal illness. Having a diverse, accessible department of colorectal surgeons reassures patients and advances the optimal benefits for their colorectal health.
Dr. Evarts Graham and the History of Cardiothoracic Medicine and Research at Washington University
Exploring the history of research in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery begins with the career of surgeon and clinical researcher Dr. Evarts Graham. A gifted cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Graham’s research included one of the earliest studies of smoking as it contributed to lung cancer, and this pioneering work has directed similar research on smoking cessation and health impacts for decades.
Andriole Receives Richard D. Williams, MD Prostate Cancer Research Excellence Award
Chief of Urologic Surgery Gerald Andriole, MD, was awarded for his outstanding and impactful research and work in the field of prostate cancer.
Combating Misconceptions of Cancer Surgery at VA Hospitals
Washington University researchers recently compared outcomes between patients receiving care for lung cancer at VA versus non-VA hospitals.
A Smart Way to Prevent Kidney Stones
Washington University urologic surgeons Henry Lai, MD, and Alana Desai, MD, joined forces with the Urinary Stone Disease Research Network to determine if behavioral interventions, like drinking more water, can prevent kidney stones.
Surgeons Win Big Ideas Competition Grants
Congratulations to Chet Hammill, MD, MCR, and Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, on leading winning teams in Big Ideas Competition.
Surgeons Receive AJT Outstanding Article Award
Satona Tanaka, MD, Jason Gauthier, MD, and Daniel Kreisel, MD, PhD, receive 2021 AJT Outstanding Article Award for lung transplantation research.
Paradigm Shift
The 30th anniversary of the Plastic Surgery Research Laboratories marks an exciting period of growth in the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery research.
The Right Tool for the Job
Multidisciplinary research helps surgeons choose the right tool for stroke and peripheral arterial disease patients.
Zayed Lab Receives New NIH Research Grant for Studying Impact of Diabetes on Vascular Disease
New Zayed Lab research grant aims to help prevent disease progression in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease.
Leading in Surgical Simulation and Education: Eileen Smith, MD
Inaugural Simulation and Education Fellow Eileen Smith, MD, presents research at Surgical Simulation Summit.
Use of Robotics in Bariatric Surgery is on the Rise
A new study from the Department of Surgery shows that the use of robotics for weight loss surgery has increased in recent years. Bariatric surgeons and public health scientists examine this rise and what it might mean for the future of weight loss surgery.
Heart to Heart with Ralph Damiano, MD: Leading Edge Medicine
Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery Ralph Damiano, Jr., MD, shares life-saving advances in lung transplant and heart surgery with the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
A Constellation of Factors: Uncovering the Causes of Rising Incidence of Early-onset Colorectal Cancer
Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, is researching the troubling rise of early-onset colorectal cancer. In a series of publications, Cao’s research points to risk factors for the condition and offers some methods of prevention and improved screening.
Treating Recurrent Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Landmark study from the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome finds reoperation for recurrent neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome to be safe and effective.
Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, and Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD, Receive 2020 Skandalaris LEAP Funding
Two Department of Surgery faculty receive Skandalaris Center LEAP funding for translational research projects.
Hands-on Training in Endourology
The Division of Urology offers hands-on training, fellowships and clinical research trials in endourology.
RAPIDO Results Offer New Standard of Care for Rectal Cancer
Results of an international study including School of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center researchers show improved outcomes for patients with advanced cases of rectal cancer.
Making Informed Decisions
Researchers in Minimally Invasive Surgery study the impact of patient self-education on health care decisions regarding hernia repair and surgical mesh.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Ida Fox, MD, takes a biopsychosocial approach to medicine, helping people with spinal cord injuries regain hand function.
Avoiding Amputation
Plastic and Reconstructive, ACCS and Vascular surgeons are taking innovative steps in growing a limb salvage service for patients who might otherwise require amputation.
Fighting Prostate Cancer with CHARM
Gerald Andriole, MD, Chief of Urologic Surgery, leads the offensive against the most threatening forms of prostate cancer.
A Closer Look at False-Negative Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Diagnoses
Washington University School of Medicine faculty study the impact of false-negative diagnoses in Venous Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Telling the Whole Story: Measuring Patient Outcomes with Composite Length of Stay
Steven Strasberg, MD, focuses on delivering the best outcomes for all patients by measuring length of stay and readmission rates.