Tonsillectomy Has Higher Risk of Complications if Younger Than 3 Years

Tonsillectomy is commonly performed in children for really 2 main conditions... chronic tonsillitis (whether from strep of other) or obstructive sleep apnea . This surgery is overall considered safe and effective. However, experienced clinicians have also known that complications occur more frequently in children under 3 years of age. As such, for a very young child, this surgery is often recommended to be delayed if at all possible until a child is over 3 years old. But is this concern …

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Wax Removal of Nasal Hair

Screenshot of video by Sepi Balini Makeup artist and vlogger Sepi Balini posted a video on instagram showing her nasal hair being removed by waxing. OUCH!  She's made of tough stuff as most individuals would have at least shed a tear given the nose is extremely sensitive, even with pulling just one nostril hair out. Watch the video here . However, this is NOT a good idea and I certainly hope is not something that picks up in popularity whether male or female. Although nasal h…

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New Video on Thyroid Surgery and Its Complications

A new video has been created regarding how the thyroid gland is removed along with potential complications that may occur with this surgical procedure. This video creation was a collaborative effort between myself and Dr. Henson , the general surgeon who performed the actual operation portrayed in the video. Assistance by Robin Earl and the surgical staff at Fauquier Hospital were invaluable as well. Read more about the surgery here or watch the video !

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Distortion of Risk Assessment for Surgical Complications

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at  FreeDigitalPhotos.net Over time and experience as well as being exposed to some pop psychology by the likes of Malcolm Gladwell, Nassim Taleb, Ori & Rom Brafman, Robert Krulwich, Jad Abumrad, among others, I have realized that patients assess surgical risk in very different ways with most using irrational considerations. Too often, physicians use statistics, numbers, and facts to counsel patients on risk whether it be surgical or some other medical i…

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