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Bertolaccini L, Mazzella A, Diotti C, Spaggiari L. Have lunar cycles and zodiac signs an impact on the mortality and morbidity of the lung cancer surgery? Asian J Surg 2024:S1015-9584(24)00899-6. [PMID: 38760203 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2024.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Bertolaccini
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Antonio Mazzella
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Diotti
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Spaggiari
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Nardelli P, Giesinger J, Liebensteiner M, Pagenstert G, Neururer S, Leitner H, Dammerer D, van Rooij F, Saffarini M. Moonlight surgery: no influence of moon phase or Friday 13th on outcomes of total knee arthroplasty. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2023; 143:6169-6175. [PMID: 37306775 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-023-04919-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present study was to investigate associations between revision-free survival and functional scores of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and moon phase on the day of surgery, as well as operations performed on a Friday 13th. PARTICIPANTS The data of all patients that received TKA between 2003 and 2019 were extracted from the Tyrol arthroplasty registry. Patients that had undergone previous total or partial knee arthroplasty as well as patients that had missing pre- or post-operative WOMAC were excluded. Patients were allocated to one of the following four groups according to moon phase on the day of surgery: new, waxing, full and waning. Patients operated on a Friday 13th were also identified and compared to patients operated on any other days/dates. A total of 5923 patients met the inclusion criteria, with mean age of 69 ± 9 years, and comprising 62% women. RESULTS There were no significant differences in revision-free survival among the four moon phase groups (p = 0.479), and no significant differences in preoperative and postoperative total WOMAC (p = 0.260, p = 0.122), There were no significant differences in revision-free survival patients operated on Friday 13th vs. other days/dates (p = 0.440). The preoperative total WOMAC was significantly worse for patients operated on a Friday 13th (p = 0.013), which was observed in the pain (p = 0.032) and function (p = 0.010) subscales. There were no significant differences in postoperative total WOMAC at 1 year follow-up (p = 0.122). CONCLUSIONS Neither moon phase on the day of surgery nor Friday 13th were associated with revision-free survival or clinical scores of TKA. Patients operated on a Friday 13th had significantly worse preoperative total WOMAC but similar postoperative total WOMAC at 1-year follow-up. These findings could help reassure patients that TKA renders consistent outcomes regardless of the preoperative pain or function, and in spite of bad omens or moon phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Nardelli
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Giesinger
- University Hospital of Psychiatry II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Geert Pagenstert
- Clarahof Clinic of Orthopaedic Surgery, Merian-Iselin-Hospital Swiss Olympic Medical Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Neururer
- Institute for Clinical Epidemiology, Tirol Kliniken GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hermann Leitner
- Institute for Clinical Epidemiology, Tirol Kliniken GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Dammerer
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Floris van Rooij
- ReSurg SA, Rue Saint-Jean 22, 1260, Nyon, Switzerland
- Clinique Trenel, Sainte Colombe, France
| | - Mo Saffarini
- ReSurg SA, Rue Saint-Jean 22, 1260, Nyon, Switzerland.
- Clinique Trenel, Sainte Colombe, France.
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Kleespies A, Mikhailov M, Khalil PN, Pratschke S, Khandoga A, Stangl M, Illner WD, Angele MK, Jauch KW, Guba M, Werner J, Rentsch M. Moon phases and moon signs do not influence morbidity, mortality and long-term survival, after living donor kidney transplantation. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 17:440. [PMID: 28870250 PMCID: PMC5584333 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1944-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Approximately 11% of the German population are convinced that certain moon phases and moon signs may impact their health and the onset and clinical course of diseases. Before elective surgery, a considerable number of patients look to optimize the timing of the procedure based on the lunar cycle. Especially patients awaiting living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) commonly look for an adjustment of the date of transplantation according to the moon calendar. This study therefore investigated the perioperative and long-term outcome of LDKT dependent on moon phases and zodiac signs. Methods Patient data were prospectively collected in a continuously updated kidney transplant database. Two hundred and seventy-eight consecutive patients who underwent LDKT between 1994 and December 2009 were selected for the study and retrospectively assigned to the four moon phases (new-moon, waxing-moon, full-moon, and waning-moon) and the corresponding zodiac sign (moon sign Libra), based on the date of transplantation. Preexisting comorbidities, perioperative mortality, surgical outcome, and long-term survival data were analyzed. Results Of all LDKT procedures, 11.9, 39.9, 11.5, and 36.5% were performed during the new, waxing, full, and waning moon, respectively, and 6.2% during the moon sign Libra, which is believed to interfere with renal surgery. Survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplantation were 98.9, 92, and 88.7% (patient survival) and 97.4, 91.6, and 80.6% (graft survival) without any differences between all groups of lunar phases and moon signs. Overall perioperative complications and early graft loss occurred in 21.2 and 1.4%, without statistical difference (p > 0.05) between groups. Conclusion Moon phases and the moon sign Libra had no impact on early and long-term outcome measures following LDKT in our study. Thus, concerns of patients awaiting LDKT regarding the ideal time of surgery can be allayed, and surgery may be scheduled independently of the lunar phases.
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Baumgardner DJ. The Value in Verifying Medical Folklore. J Patient Cent Res Rev 2017; 4:101-103. [PMID: 31413976 PMCID: PMC6664349 DOI: 10.17294/2330-0698.1582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis J Baumgardner
- Department of Family Medicine, Aurora University of Wisconsin Medical Group, Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, WI
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The Influence of Lunar Phases on Complications in Cataract Surgery: An Analysis of 16,965 Patients. J Ophthalmol 2017; 2017:1946527. [PMID: 28791180 PMCID: PMC5534307 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1946527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Popular beliefs exert an impact of lunar phases on elective surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate potential correlations between complications in cataract surgery and the phases of the moon during its passage through the zodiac and Fridays that fall on the 13th. Methods Patients with complications during cataract surgery were extracted retrospectively from the clinical database from 2010 to 2014. The dates of surgeries were viewed in relation to the phase and the position of the moon (sign of the zodiac). Results Of 16,965 cataract surgeries, 132 eyes developed complications. 0.70% developed complications with a waxing moon, and 0.87% with a waning moon (p = 0.745). After Bonferroni correction, there were no statistically significant differences between the numbers of complications under the different signs of the zodiac and no complications on Fridays that fell on the 13th. Conclusions The analysis of “non-moon-fitting days” for surgery showed quantitative differences, without statistically significant findings. Our results revealed more complications when the moon was waning, which is in contrast to esoteric belief. Patients may be informed that phases of the moon, signs of the zodiac, or a particular date will have no impact on their surgeries.
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Raposio E, Caruana G, Santi P, Cafiero F. Relationship between lunar cycle and haemorrhagic complication rate in surgery. Acta Chir Belg 2017; 117:245-249. [PMID: 28374651 DOI: 10.1080/00015458.2017.1310480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible relationship between lunar cycles and haemorrhagic complication rate in surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS The possible relationship between moon phases and surgical outcome was tested by evaluating the haemorrhagic complication rate for 18,760 patients who underwent surgery between January 2001 and December 2008 at the National Institute for Cancer Research in Genoa. A total of 103 lunar phases were considered using Chi-square (χ2) test analysis, and patients were allocated a surgery date. RESULTS One hundred and sixty-seven haemorrhagic complications were observed. Three hundred and nine new moon phase days were analysed and 12 incidences of complications detected, with a 3.9% complication rate per day. In the waxing moon phase, 1184.5 d were analysed with 68 incidences of complications at a daily rate of 5.7%. In the full moon phase there was a 4.9% complication rate per day (15 incidences in 309 d), whereas in the waning moon phase, the 6% percentage rate per day resulted from 72 incidences in 1184.5 d. CONCLUSIONS No statistically significant correlations were found between moon cycles and postoperative haemorrhagic complications (p = .50).
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Raposio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Cutaneous, Mini-invasive, Regenerative and Plastic Surgery Section, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgia Caruana
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Cutaneous, Mini-invasive, Regenerative and Plastic Surgery Section, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Santi
- Department of Surgical and Integrated Methodological Sciences (DICMI), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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Joswig H, Stienen MN, Hock C, Hildebrandt G, Surbeck W. The influence of lunar phases and zodiac sign 'Leo' on perioperative complications and outcome in elective spine surgery. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2016; 158:1095-101. [PMID: 27106845 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-016-2802-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many people believe that the moon has an influence on daily life, and some even request elective surgery dates depending on the moon calendar. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of 'unfavorable' lunar or zodiac constellations on perioperative complications and outcome in elective surgery for degenerative disc disease. METHODS Retrospective database analysis including 924 patients. Using uni- and multivariate logistic regression, the likelihood for intraoperative complications and re-do surgeries as well as the clinical outcomes at 4 weeks was analyzed for surgeries performed during the waxing moon, full moon, and dates when the moon passed through the zodiac sign 'Leo.' RESULTS In multivariate analysis, patients operated on during the waxing moon were 1.54 times as likely as patients who were operated on during the waning moon to suffer from an intraoperative complication (OR 1.54, 95 % CI 1.07-2.21, p = 0.019). In contrast, there was a trend toward fewer re-do surgeries for surgery during the waxing moon (OR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.23-1.16, p = 0.109), while the 4-week responder status was similar (OR 0.73, 95 % CI 0.47-1.14, p = 0.169). A full moon and the zodiac sign Leo did not increase the likelihood for complications, re-do surgeries or unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS We found no influence of 'unfavorable' lunar or zodiac constellations on the 4-week responder status or the revision rate that would justify a moon calendar-based selection approach to elective spine surgery dates. However, the fact that patients undergoing surgery during the waxing moon were more likely to suffer from an intraoperative complication is a surprising curiosity and defies our ability to find a rational explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Joswig
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Martin N Stienen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Geneva, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carolin Hock
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Hildebrandt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Werner Surbeck
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Rorschacher Str. 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Komann M, Weinmann C, Meissner W. Howling at the moon? The effect of lunar phases on post-surgical pain outcome. Br J Pain 2014; 8:72-7. [PMID: 26516538 DOI: 10.1177/2049463714522985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many people are convinced that lunar phases influence their lives - despite the fact that a lot of studies have shown that this belief is wrong. In this article, we investigate the effect of lunar phases on acute post-surgical pain and on treatment-related side effects. We hypothesize that there is no influence. METHODS The data for the study were collected in 2010 and 2011 in 10 international hospitals participating in the research project PAIN OUT. Hospitalized patients were asked for their pain after surgery and pain treatment side effects using numerical ratings scales from 0 to 10. We applied Kurskal-Wallis H-tests to find out if the four moon phases show significant differences in 14 outcome variables. Afterwards, we adjusted for age, gender and three tracer surgeries. RESULTS A total of 12,224 patient data sets were assessed. For most variables and sub-groups, there is no lunar effect on the observed outcome variables. The only items that show statistically significant differences are pain interference with sleep (p = 0.01) and drowsiness (p = 0.01). The only sub-groups that show statistically significant connections to lunar phases in some variables are men (7 out of 14 variables significant) and elderly people (4 out of 14 variables significant). DISCUSSION Even in the statistically significant sub-groups, the differences are small and only show up in some variables. We conclude that lunar phases have no effect on post-surgical pain or its side effects. The hypothesis holds. Thus, there is no reason for patients to postpone surgeries or to fear surgeries on any given date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Komann
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Claudia Weinmann
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Winfried Meissner
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
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Popular belief meets surgical reality: impact of lunar phases, Friday the 13th and zodiac signs on emergency operations and intraoperative blood loss. World J Surg 2011; 35:1945-9. [PMID: 21713579 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-011-1166-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of superstition, moon calendars, and popular belief on evidence-based medicine is stunning. More than 40% of medical staff is convinced that lunar phases can affect human behavior. The idea that Friday the 13th is associated with adverse events and bad luck is deep-rooted in the population of Western industrial countries. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that these myths are transferable to real-life surgery. METHODS We analyzed the extent to which moon phases, zodiac signs, and Friday the 13th influence blood loss, emergency frequency, and intestinal perforations by evaluating the operation records of all 27,914 consecutive patients of our institution undergoing general, visceral, or vascular surgery between August 2001 and August 2010. Dates of surgery were allocated to lunar phases and to zodiac signs, as well as to Friday the 13th. RESULTS A total of 111 lunar cycles and 15 Fridays the 13th occurred within the 3,281-day observation period. Patients' characteristics did not differ in lunar phases, zodiac signs, or Fridays the 13th. Full moon phases, the presence of Friday the 13th, and zodiac signs influenced neither intraoperative blood loss nor emergency frequency. No statistical peaks regarding perforated aortic aneurysms and gastrointestinal perforations were found on full moon or Friday the 13th. CONCLUSIONS Scientific analysis of our data does not support the belief that moon phases, zodiac signs, or Friday 13th influence surgical blood loss and emergency frequency. Our data indicate that such beliefs are myths far beyond reality.
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Marquardt C, Bölke E, Gerber PA, Kukova G, Peiper M, Rusnak E, Orth K, Fleischmann W. Correlation of cutaneous tension distribution and tissue oxygenation with acute external tissue expansion. Eur J Med Res 2010; 14:480-6. [PMID: 19948443 PMCID: PMC3352288 DOI: 10.1186/2047-783x-14-11-280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, the biomechanical fundamentals of skin expansion are based on viscoelastic models of the skin. Although many studies have been conducted in vitro, analyses performed in vivo are rare. Here, we present in vivo measurements of the expansion at the skin surface as well as measurement of the corresponding intracutaneous oxygen partial pressure. In our study the average skin stretching was 24%, with a standard deviation of 11%, excluding age or gender dependency. The measurement of intracutaneous oxygen partial pressure produced strong inter-individual fluctuations, including initial values at the beginning of the measurement, as well as varying individual patient reactions to expansion of the skin. Taken together, we propose that even large defect wounds can be closed successfully using the mass displacement caused by expansion especially in areas where soft, voluminous tissue layers are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Marquardt
- Department of Surgery, Krankenhaus Ludwigsburg, Germany
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