Health

Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries

Published

2 years ago

September 7, 2022

WebMD

Surgery for uterine fibroids can often be done through minimally invasive techniques that avoid a hospital stay. But Black and Hispanic women may be less likely to receive these treatments, a recent study finds.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Sometimes they cause no problems, but when they do — like heavy monthly bleeding and pain — treatment may be necessary.

One option is surgery: a myomectomy, which removes just the fibroids; or a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus. Either surgery can often be done in a minimally invasive way — vaginally or through small incisions in the abdomen.

Yet in the new study, researchers found that Black and Hispanic women often did not receive those less extensive procedures — instead getting traditional surgery, with a large abdominal incision and a hospital stay.

The reasons are not completely clear, the researchers said.

But the investigators did find that Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to see a doctor who specialized in minimally invasive techniques.

Uterine fibroids are very common, but especially so among Black women, said researcher Dr. Rebecca Schneyer, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles.

Studies show that about 80% of Black women will have uterine fibroids by age 50, as will 70% of white women. But Black women typically develop them sooner: By some estimates, one-quarter of Black women have fibroids by age 30.

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They are also more prone to having numerous or large fibroids, suffer more intense symptoms, and more often undergo surgery compared to white women.

“That’s all the more reason we should be trying to reduce disparities in care,” Schneyer said.

Traditional abdominal surgery for fibroids is generally safe. But it causes more pain and blood loss, and has a longer recovery time than minimally invasive procedures.

For the new study — recently published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology — Schneyer’s team examined records of more than 1,300 women who had surgery for uterine fibroids at Cedars-Sinai in recent years.

Most had a minimally invasive myomectomy or hysterectomy, but there were substantial racial gaps: Among white women, 81% underwent minimally invasive procedures, versus 57% of Black women and 65% of Hispanic women. Asian women, meanwhile, had a rate comparable to white women.

Schneyer said there are times when traditional surgery is the better option, depending on the number of fibroids or size of the uterus, for example.

But those factors did not explain the disparities in surgery type, the study found.

Instead, Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to see a doctor who specialized in minimally invasive techniques: They often saw an obstetrician/gynecologist without that “sub-specialty” training.

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Why is unclear, since all patients were treated at the same medical center and nearly all had private insurance.

It’s possible, Schneyer said, the doctors whom Black and Hispanic women initially saw were less likely to refer them to sub-specialists, perhaps due to “implicit biases.”

But she suspects that “disparities in awareness” might play a bigger role: White women may be more likely to know about minimally invasive options, or seek a second opinion.

Dr. Hye-Chun Hur specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn. She said that in her experience, some patients with uterine fibroids are indeed more likely to “doctor shop” and seek second or third opinions, while others accept the initial option presented to them.

The onus should be on doctors, both Schneyer and Hur said, to explain all treatment options.

It’s also important, they said, for primary care doctors and general ob/gyns — the ones who refer women to sub-specialists — to be aware that minimally invasive procedures can often be done even when there are numerous fibroids or the uterus is large.

“A lot has changed in the past 20 years,” Schneyer said. “More often than not, minimally invasive surgery is an option.”

For women who have traditional surgery recommended, Hur said, “seeking a second opinion is always a good idea.” But they should try, if possible, to get that opinion from a specialist in minimally invasive techniques, she added.

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Author: WebMD

Related Topics:Black Women Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries

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Health

Ondo Resident Doctors Begin 14-Day Warning Strike

Published

3 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

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Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have initiated a 14-day warning strike, as confirmed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The strike action, led by the association’s President, John Matthew, highlights various grievances, notably the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members.

Matthew added that the strike also addresses the non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, the failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite prior assurances from the state government, and the ongoing shortage of staff due to resignations.

Matthew lamented the drastic decrease in resident doctors, citing a decrease from 150 doctors to a mere 26 in recent months.

In response to the situation, he urged management to prioritise the full payment of arrears owed to members, immediate payment of the February 2024 palliative to house officers, and prompt disbursement of the February hazard allowance.

The association further called for urgent measures to address the critical shortage of clinical manpower within the institution.

Health

FG Okays N25bn Disbursement to Enhance Healthcare Delivery

Published

4 weeks ago

April 2, 2024

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File photo of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate,

The Federal Government has greenlit the allocation of N25 billion to bolster the efforts of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in advancing healthcare accessibility and quality across Nigeria.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, made this known, stressing the steadfast commitment of the current administration towards revamping the healthcare system to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians.

In a statement by Deworitshe Patricia, a spokesperson for the ministry, Pate emphasised that the government’s strategy for health sector transformation involves the implementation of a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme (NHSRIP).

Addressing the imperative for reforms in Nigeria’s primary healthcare delivery, Pate highlighted the significance of revising the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and its associated programmes.

Pate outlined the objectives of the revised guidelines, which include expanding healthcare services for underserved populations, particularly women and children, reducing maternal mortality rates, alleviating out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, and standardizing healthcare quality across primary healthcare facilities nationwide.

“The Ministry, in collaboration with development partners, is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all Nigerians, with a special focus on vulnerable groups,” stated Pate. “Through initiatives like NHSRIP, we aspire to minimize the need for long-distance travel for medical care, thereby improving the overall health outcomes and well-being of our citizens.”

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Health

Photos: Saudi Medical Team Make History, Separate Nigerian Conjoined Twins

Published

2 months ago

March 1, 2024

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cojoinedtwinssurgery3 1 MegaIcon Magazine

In a monumental achievement for medical science, a team of Saudi professionals at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina.

The directive for this historic achievement came from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing healthcare.

The complex procedure, initiated on Thursday morning, was the result of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of 38 medical experts. This group included consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff, all working in harmony to address shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves of the twins.

The surgery, unfolding in nine carefully planned stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, citing a noteworthy 70% success rate.

“This is a momentous occasion that showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and providing compassionate healthcare globally,” he said.

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The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina commemorates the 60th operation conducted by the Saudi programme for separating conjoined twins. Over the past 34 years, this programme has offered care to 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries.

Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for their steadfast support of the programme.

He said, “The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes and its role as a leader in global healthcare.”

The Press Attaché at the Saudi embassy in Abuja, Mohammed Alsahabi, remarked on the accomplishment, stating, “This remarkable feat underscores the strong collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in healthcare. We take pride in contributing to the improvement of these twins’ lives and their families.”

The separation of Hassana and Husaina represents not just a medical triumph but also serves as a symbol of hope for numerous individuals confronting similar challenges globally.