Department of Surgery

February 2, 2024

Novel device helps extend window of time to preserve hearts donated after cardiac death

In the first such procedure, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has transplanted a DCD (donation after cardiac death) heart using XVIVO Heart Assist Transport (XHAT), a novel cold organ perfusion device.

By Matt Batcheldor
January 31, 2024

Record year for the Vanderbilt Transplant Center saves 739 lives

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center established a new record in calendar year 2023 for total solid organ transplants, performing 739 lifesaving procedures among its adult and pediatric organ transplant programs.

By Matt Batcheldor
January 31, 2024

Fatty acids rewire energy supply chain in stomach cancer development

A study by Vanderbilt researchers has revealed how metabolic changes spurred by fatty acids contribute to the transformation of cells into abnormal versions of themselves that are the precursors to stomach cancer.

By Tom Wilemon
The Ukrainian medical team included, from left, Serhii Sudakevych, MD, Borys Todurov, MD, Igor Kuzmych, MD, Sofia Chaikovska, MD, and Mykola Melnyk, MD. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
November 27, 2023

Ukrainian doctors again visit VUMC to observe organ transplants and protocols

For the second year, a delegation of doctors from Ukraine recently visited Vanderbilt University Medical Center to observe organ transplants and protocols.

By Matt Batcheldor
October 24, 2023

VUMC seeks public input on blood-clotting agent study

Researchers at Vanderbilt are considering participation in an international study to examine if a blood-clotting medication given to adults with major bleeding or in need of urgent surgery or an invasive procedure can improve survival.

By Craig Boerner
Alyssa Hasty, PhD, left, Jeffrey Rathmell, PhD, and Kamran Idrees, MD, MSCI, are part of a multidisciplinary team that received a 2023 Endeavor Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research to study the connection between obesity and cancer. Team members not pictured include Kathryn Wellen, PhD, Liza Makowski, PhD, and Kathryn Beckermann, MD, PhD.
October 24, 2023

Vanderbilt-led team receives 2023 Endeavor Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research

A multidisciplinary team of investigators has received a 2023 Endeavor Award from The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research to support four closely linked projects exploring the fundamental mechanisms that drive the obesity-cancer connection,

By Leigh MacMillan
October 18, 2023

VUMC’s Wei Kelly Wu, Siru Liu named 2023 Stat Wunderkinds

Vanderbilt's Wei Kelly Wu, MD, and Siru Liu, PhD, have been named 2023 Stat Wunderkinds.
By Paul Govern
October 10, 2023

Multidisciplinary care crucial in guiding Vanderbilt employee’s bile duct cancer journey

Blane Hollingsworth became the first patient at Vanderbilt to undergo a liver transplant under the protocol for cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer.
By Matt Batcheldor
October 5, 2023

Study validates pyrvinium as treatment to prevent stomach cancer

A Vanderbilt study found that a drug that has been used for decades for intestinal pinworms, can be repurposed as a preventative treatment for stomach cancer.
By Tom Wilemon
September 27, 2023

VUMC performs novel reoperative lung and kidney transplant

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has performed its first combined reoperative lung and kidney transplant.
By Matt Batcheldor
September 20, 2023

Surgeons to lead multisite study of procedure to limit blood loss by partially blocking aorta

Vanderbilt care surgeons are leading a two-year, multicenter observational study of a minimally invasive technique to control life-threatening blood loss by inserting a balloon inside the aorta to restrict blood flow below the heart.
By Jill Clendening
August 24, 2023

Study shows Vanderbilt-developed technology assists surgeons in identifying parathyroids

A team of surgeons and biomedical engineers have shown the use of probe-based near infrared autofluorescence technology helps confirm the identification of parathyroid glands during endocrine surgery
By Jill Clendening
August 22, 2023

Vanderbilt Health expands self check-in, centralized welcome desks at adult ambulatory clinics

Beginning Aug. 30, patients can check in for appointments at adult ambulatory clinics at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks using the My Health at Vanderbilt secure patient portal app on their phone or tablet.
By Jill Clendening