Recent management of primary retroperitoneal sarcomas shows improved survival rates over time. 5-year overall survival increased from 61.7% (2002-2011) to 78.8% (2012-2021). Distant metastases rates decreased in the recent cohort (HR 1.50). These findings influence patient selection and highlight the need to adopt newer treatment strategies to enhance outcomes. 30-month post-recurrence survival rose dramatically from […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
AI Enhances Predictions for Oesophagectomy Outcomes
Using explainable AI, we can significantly improve predictions for 90-day mortality and anastomotic leakage after oesophagectomy. The 90-day mortality rate was 6.0%, with anastomotic leakage at 12.4%. Explainable AI achieved an AUC of 0.95 for predicting mortality, compared to 0.88 for traditional methods. This technology allows for personalized risk assessments, improving decision-making for surgical candidates. […]
Revisiting Resection Criteria for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Tumor markers may improve patient selection for liver resection in HCC. In a study of 803 patients, 32.3% of resectable tumors had high tumor markers (AFP > 500 ng/ml or DCP > 1000 mau/ml). TM-high patients had a median survival of 120.7 months, significantly lower than non-TM-high patients at 160.8 months (p = 0.008). Incorporating […]
New Prognostic Model for Pancreatic Cancer Outcomes
A novel risk model using stress granule-related gene signatures (sgrgs) shows promise for improving prognostic accuracy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Four key sgrgs (lama3, itga6, col17a1, top2a) were identified as significant predictors of PDAC prognosis. A nomogram combining age, N stage, and risk score demonstrated strong predictive capacity. Understanding these markers can enhance patient […]
Colorectal Cancer Burden Rising in East Asia: Key Trends and Projections
Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality are sharply increasing in East Asia, necessitating targeted surgical interventions and screening. South Korea leads with a 5.29% annual increase in CRC incidence, followed by China at 4.11%. Projections indicate a continued rise in China by 2050, while South Korea’s incidence stabilizes and Japan’s growth slows. Males, particularly in […]
Endoscopic Ultrasound for Acute Cholecystitis Shows Strong Results
EUS-guided gallbladder drainage is a viable option for high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis, offering both safety and effectiveness. Technical and clinical success rates were high at 95.8%. The study analyzed data from 701 patients across 18 studies with over a year of follow-up. Surgeons can consider EUS-GBD as a first-line treatment for patients unfit for […]
Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy Outperforms Laparoscopic Stimulation for Gastroparesis
Endoscopic peroral pyloromyotomy (pop/g-poem) shows superior outcomes compared to laparoscopic gastric electrical stimulation (ges) for treating medically refractory gastroparesis. Mean operative time was significantly shorter for pop/g-poem (28.9 minutes vs 95.6 minutes, p < 0.001). Length of stay was reduced with pop/g-poem (0.5 days vs 2.4 days, p < 0.001) and it had a lower […]
Transforming Rectal Cancer Care: Upfront Surgery Wins
Selected rectal cancer patients can safely skip neoadjuvant therapy and proceed directly to total mesorectal excision. Among 94 patients, 100% had local recurrence-free survival at 3 years; 97% at 5 years. R0 resection achieved in 99%, leading to substantial overall survival rates of 97% at 3 years and 95% at 5 years. This evidence supports […]
Predicting Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure with Machine Learning
A new machine learning model improves prediction of liver failure after major hepatectomy, enhancing surgical decision-making. The pilot model achieved AUCs as high as 0.904, significantly outperforming traditional models (AUCs 0.502-0.644). The model integrates 55 variables, including novel biomarkers, across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative datasets. This innovation allows surgeons to identify high-risk patients within hours […]
Diminished Infection Rates with Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix
Using a biodegradable temporizing matrix (BTM) can lead to low infection rates in complex wounds, changing how surgeons approach non-graftable cases. Only 14% of patients in a diverse cohort of 22 experienced clinical infection after BTM application. Microbial growth was found in 76% of pre-BTM swabs, but this did not correlate with infection rates post-application. […]