Gut microbiota alterations post-gastrectomy are linked to inflammation and complication risks. A systematic review of 13 studies encompassing 937 patients revealed reduced microbial diversity after surgery, correlating with negative surgical outcomes. Notably, oral probiotics demonstrated efficacy in restoring microbiota diversity and decreasing postoperative complications. However, consensus on which specific probiotics to use remains elusive. Focus […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Rapid embolization significantly boosts splenic preservation outcomes in trauma patients
Splenic artery embolization (SAE) demonstrates high efficacy in preserving the spleen during treatment of grade III-V splenic injuries. Notably, timing is crucial; earlier embolization correlates with better outcomes. In a study of 400 patients, both SAE (98.2% preservation) and nonoperative observation (97.7%) achieved significant success. Factors influencing embolization effectiveness include cranial AIS scores and the […]
New Consensus Guidelines Enhance Safety for Antithrombotic Use in Endoscopy
A panel from the Catalan Society of Gastroenterology developed targeted guidelines for using antithrombotic drugs during elective endoscopic procedures. They assessed 16 procedures based on bleeding risk and crafted tailored management strategies for various antithrombotic groups. The recommendations emphasize individualized risk assessment, multidisciplinary coordination, and effective patient communication to minimize complications and enhance safety throughout […]
Global Model Identifies Stage II Colon Cancer Patients Who Need Adjuvant Chemotherapy
A novel recurrence risk model (rpv) effectively identifies stage II colon cancer patients who will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). Analysis of cohorts from the U.S., Japan, Denmark, and Jordan reveals that high-risk patients achieving higher five-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates with AC—76.2% in cohort 1 and 65.6% in cohort 2—compared to non-recipients. This model […]
Global Program Cuts Surgical Site Infections by 57% in Low-Income Countries
A surgical infection prevention program first proven in Ethiopia scaled successfully to five low-resource hospitals in Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, India, and Bolivia. Among 1,865 surgical patients, 30-day surgical site infections dropped from 28.4% to 12.1%—a 49% relative reduction. Compliance with WHO checklist use, antibiotic timing, antisepsis, sterile technique, and gauze counts also improved. Knowledge transfer […]
Percutaneous Vagal Stimulation Outperforms Peroral Method in Thyroid Surgery
In a comparative study of neuromonitoring techniques during transoral thyroidectomy, percutaneous continuous vagal stimulation (PC) demonstrated superior performance over the conventional peroral delta electrode method. The PC group achieved faster electrode positioning, fewer displacement issues, and more reliable EMG signals. While both groups faced traction-related nerve injuries during surgery, the PC group’s incidents resulted in […]
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Offers Hope for GERD-Related Neoplasms
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) proves highly effective in treating GERD-related neoplasms, achieving a 100% en bloc resection rate and a 95.8% curative resection rate among 96 patients. Remarkably, no local recurrences or metastases were observed during follow-ups. After six months, nearly 70% of patients experienced alleviated GERD symptoms, linked to the extent of resected lumen […]
Laparoscopic Repeat Liver Resection Outperforms Open Surgery in Key Metrics
Laparoscopic repeat liver resection (LRLR) significantly reduces intraoperative blood loss, complications, and hospital stays compared to open repeat liver resection (ORLR) for recurrent liver cancer. LRLR boasts a higher R0 resection rate, making it a safer, more effective option for patients. While operative time, transfusion rates, mortality, and three-year survival show no significant differences between […]
New Metric Establishes Clinical Relevance of Surgical Complications in Abdominal Surgery
A novel minimal important difference (MID) for the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) offers clarity on surgical outcomes for major abdominal surgery patients. Analyzing data from 1,583 patients across four studies, findings reveal an MID of 12 points in the CCI crucial for interpreting clinical significance and guiding sample size calculations in future research. This metric […]
Radical Resection Outperforms Preservation in Congenital Bile Duct Surgery
In a comprehensive multicenter trial involving 355 patients with type I congenital bile duct dilation, radical extrahepatic cyst excision, compared to subtotal excision, markedly improved long-term outcomes. The radical approach significantly reduced rates of recurrent cholangitis, pancreatitis, and readmission, leading to better quality of life metrics and lower carcinogenesis risk. Both techniques showed similar perioperative […]