A complex parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy was successfully performed on a 61-year-old woman with multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases after she showed a partial response to second-line chemotherapy. Utilizing advanced three-dimensional reconstruction and intraoperative ultrasound for guidance, clinicians executed a unique transection of several liver segments, significantly preserving healthy tissue while addressing extensive disease. This innovative approach […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
PRRT enhances survival in patients after GEP-NET progression
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) significantly improves progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) who progress after surgical resection. Among 237 analyzed patients, those receiving PRRT experienced a median PFS of 32.4 months compared to 11.0 months for those who did not (p < 0.001). Median OS […]
Laparoscopic fundoplication enhances esophageal motility in GERD patients
Laparoscopic fundoplication significantly improves esophageal motility in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irrespective of their initial motility status. A study involving 124 patients found that successful fundoplication was associated with normalization of motility, with 103 achieving good outcomes. All procedures were performed laparoscopically without postoperative mortality in the first 90 days. These findings suggest […]
Successful implementation of anal cancer screening program in Brazil
A screening program for high-grade anal dysplasia has been successfully implemented at a Brazilian cancer center. Over 324 exams were conducted between March 2022 and June 2024, revealing anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (AHSIL) in 38.2% of high-risk patients. Specifically, AHSIL was detected in 34.9% of men who have sex with men, 31.6% of transgender […]
Modified surgical technique significantly lowers anastomotic leakage rates
A new surgical technique for subtotal esophagectomy effectively reduced anastomotic leakage (AL) rates. Researchers compared outcomes between a conventional group and a modified procedure group. AL decreased from 16.9% to 2.8% (p=0.002), with further analysis showing 14% in the conventional group versus 0% in the test group (p=0.006). Key factors contributing to AL included the […]
New consensus outlines resectability criteria for advanced HCC
An expert panel from the Japan Liver Cancer Association and Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery has established clear criteria for assessing the oncological resectability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Three classifications were introduced—resectable, borderline resectable 1, and borderline resectable 2—distinguishing treatment strategies and anticipated survival outcomes. This consensus aims to facilitate discussions on “conversion therapy” and […]
Stool-based strategies significantly reduce colonoscopies post-polypectomy.
Stool-based surveillance for individuals with post-polypectomy indications has been shown to safely decrease the need for colonoscopies by 15% to 41%. A study of 3,453 participants found that multitarget stool DNA tests were most effective (AUC 0.72), but also more costly than colonoscopy. In contrast, fecal immunochemical tests were cost-saving. Overall, these strategies could revolutionize […]
Normal ca19-9 levels correlate with improved survival in pancreatic cancer
In a study involving 1,558 pancreatic cancer patients, 13.9% exhibited normal carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (ca19-9) levels, linked to significantly longer median survival rates (18.1 vs. 9.7 months). Those with stage IV ca19-9-normal cancer had a 5-year survival chance of 22.4%, compared to 6.8% in the ca19-9-high group. Findings suggest that glucose control, influenced by insulin […]
Whole blood resuscitation reduces trauma mortality rates significantly.
Whole blood (wb) resuscitation shows significant benefits in trauma patients, leading to lower odds of mortality at 4-hour, 24-hour, and 30-day intervals compared to component-only transfusions. Data from 12,275 patients indicate that higher wb to total transfusion volume (wb:ttv) ratios further decrease mortality, with each 10% increase correlating to a 13% reduction in 4-hour mortality […]
De-escalating preoperative α-blockade improves outcomes for pheochromocytoma surgery
Implementing a de-escalated preoperative α-blockade protocol for pheochromocytoma adrenalectomy shows promising results. The study involving 82 patients indicated that this approach led to a significantly shorter hospital stay (2.5 days compared to 7.1 days) and reduced duration of postoperative norepinephrine use (0.3 hours versus 5.1 hours). Although symptomatic hypotension was more common in the de-escalated […]