Using intraoperative frozen section analysis during cholecystectomy, surgeons can decide on a single-stage management approach for suspected gallbladder cancer (GBC). A retrospective cohort study of 37 consecutive cholecystectomies found that frozen section analysis had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% for detecting GBC. This one-stage approach reduced the need for a second […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Perioperative Management Recommendations for Sarcopenia in Surgical Patients
Consensus recommendations were developed in Singapore for recognizing and managing sarcopenia in surgical patients, crucial for optimizing postoperative outcomes. A multidisciplinary expert panel formulated eight evidence-based statements to guide the identification and perioperative management of sarcopenia, emphasizing the importance of awareness and consensus in addressing this common condition among older surgical patients. Journal Article by […]
Impact of Conversion Surgery on Patients Responding to Immunotherapy for Unresectable Biliary Tract Cancer
Conversion surgery significantly improves survival outcomes in patients with positive responses to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based combined therapy for unresectable biliary tract cancer. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly longer with conversion surgery compared to continued systemic therapy alone. The estimated 3-year survival rates post-surgery are promising, highlighting the potential benefits of this intervention in […]
Utilizing Mediastinal Drains Alone After Esophageal Cancer Surgery
Utilizing mediastinal drains alone post-esophageal cancer surgery is safe and reduces postoperative pain. It can potentially replace closed thoracic drains, showing comparable results in terms of hyperthermia, leukocytes, drainage, hospitalization, and pulmonary complications. Early detection of abnormal drainage fluid is a significant benefit, with no increase in anastomotic leakage incidence or mortality rates. Journal Article […]
Risk Factors Analysis for Motorcycle Crashes in Barcelona
Alcoholism, poor road conditions, and speeding contribute to severe injuries in motorcycle crashes in Barcelona. Elderly riders are less at risk, while those aged 25-40 face higher odds of injury. Both supervised and unsupervised techniques effectively identify these risk factors, emphasizing the need for enhanced road maintenance and speed enforcement to improve motorcyclists’ safety. Journal […]
Surgical and Anesthesiology Departments Adaptations During COVID-19 Pandemic
Surgical and anesthesiology departments in high-income countries adapted to COVID-19 through staffing changes and task-shifting. A scoping review of 108 articles revealed these common strategies, emphasizing that well-resourced surgical systems were more resilient during the pandemic. However, the absence of reports from low-income countries suggests a gap in understanding their responses. Strengthening surgical systems could […]
Transversus Abdominis Plane Block vs. Wound Infiltration for Pain Control After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Ultrasound-guided subcostal approach of transversus abdominis plane (STAP) blocks offers superior postoperative analgesia compared to wound infiltration (WI) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). A meta-analysis of 6 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 314 participants showed significantly lower 24-hour opioid consumption and reduced pain scores in the STAP group. The incidence of postoperative nausea and […]
Impact of Hospital Volume and Risk-Standardized Mortality Rate on Complex Oncologic Surgery Outcomes
High-volume and high-performance centers had lower risk-standardized mortality rates for hepato-pancreatobiliary procedures. Redistributing patients based on risk-standardized mortality rate may save more lives compared to volume-based redistribution. These findings suggest that risk-standardized mortality rate may be a superior measure of hospital quality in complex oncologic surgery. Journal Article by Julian WT, Elshami M (…) Ocuin […]
Endoscopic Resection for Intermediate- or High-Risk Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Endoscopic resection is a safe and effective method for treating intermediate- or high-risk gastric small gastrointestinal stromal tumors, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 97.4%. Close follow-up is necessary for these patients, but there were no recurrences or metastases observed, even among those with R1 resections. This approach allows for a wait-and-see strategy before […]
Caffeine Consumption and Bowel Recovery After Colorectal Surgery
A meta-analysis of eight studies with 610 patients found that caffeine intake after colorectal surgery significantly reduces time to first bowel movement and time to first solid food intake. The data suggest that postoperative caffeine consumption can be a useful strategy to prevent postoperative ileus. However, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, and […]