Histological remission of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and significant fibrosis enhances survival rates post-bariatric surgery. In a cohort of 3028 patients over a median follow-up of 10.1 years, those with persistent MASH or worsening fibrosis exhibited increased mortality, while those whose MASH resolved without fibrosis worsening showed no increased risk. Survival was significantly prolonged in […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
A predictive model identifies patients at risk for futile liver resection.
A new predictive model effectively identifies patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at risk of undergoing futile upfront liver resection (LR). Among 1,633 patients analyzed, 16.2% experienced futility—defined as death or recurrence within six months. Key risk factors included tumor burden score, alpha-fetoprotein levels, and albumin-bilirubin grade. The model, which categorizes patients into risk groups, is […]
Sutureless harmonic scalpel reduces nerve damage in thyroid surgery
A meta-analysis of 43 randomized controlled trials involving over 10,000 patients indicates the sutureless focus harmonic scalpel (UAS) is superior to the conventional clamp-and-tie technique in total thyroidectomy. Notably, the incidence of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was significantly lower with UAS (3.99% vs. 5.23%). Similarly, transient hypocalcemia occurred less frequently in UAS patients (11.3% […]
Arterial compression devices improve outcomes in liver cancer treatment
A systematic review and meta-analysis involving 2,338 participants found that arterial compression hemostasis devices significantly reduced compression hemostasis time by 13.9 minutes and limb immobilization time by 8.79 minutes compared to traditional methods. Additionally, these devices lowered the rates of local bleeding, hematoma formation, skin ecchymosis, and other vascular complications. The findings support the superiority […]
Acute care surgery could improve South Korea’s emergency care.
Implementing acute care surgery (ACS) in South Korea enhances both trauma and non-trauma emergency services. The model addresses the critical shortage of trauma surgeons and promotes efficient resource allocation, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Research highlights that ACS not only bolsters emergency surgical management but also creates more training opportunities for residents and increases job satisfaction […]
Rising colon and rectum cancer rates projected through 2030
Colon and rectum cancer (CRC) continues to rise in China, with 658,321 cases reported in 2021, predominantly in males. The incidence rate for males was 42.24 per 100,000, compared to 21.87 for females, with male mortality rates significantly higher. Projections indicate further increases, particularly among younger males influenced by lifestyle factors such as smoking and […]
ABsite Exam Demonstrates Strong Reliability and Unidimensionality
The internal structure study of the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) revealed strong reliability (Cronbach’s alpha >0.9) along with suitable item difficulty (0.66) and item discrimination index (>0.2). Analyzing data from 55,986 unique test results between 2018 and 2023, the findings suggest that ABSITE is a unidimensional tool, which makes it appropriate for […]
A new model predicts perioperative mortality in low-resource settings.
A novel perioperative mortality risk (POMR) model was developed and validated for humanitarian surgical care, utilizing electronic health record data from 49,277 patients. Eight critical, accessible variables were identified: age over 65 years, male sex, Glasgow Coma Scale under 13, high glucose levels, low hemoglobin, elevated heart rate, fever, and high systolic blood pressure. The […]
Preoperative blood count factors predict early colorectal cancer metastasis
In a study of 268 resected colorectal cancer cases, researchers found that preoperative complete blood count parameters can significantly predict early liver and lung metastases. Decreased red blood cells, lymphocytes, and an elevated monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio correlated with liver metastases, while lower eosinophil counts were linked to lung metastases. Composite scores highlighting these factors revealed a […]
Surgical Trends and Outcomes in Korean Gastric Cancer Patients
The 2023 nationwide survey by the Korean Gastric Cancer Association revealed that early gastric cancer comprised 63.1% of cases. Notably, the mean patient age increased to 64.6 years, with those aged ≥71 rising to 31.7% since 1995. The use of totally laparoscopic surgery was predominant at 63.2%, with robotic techniques growing to 9.5%. Post-operative mortality […]