Researchers investigated the impact of a weight-loss program (WLP) on patients with a high body mass index (BMI) before undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In a study of 19 patients with a BMI of 25.0 or higher, WLP successfully led to weight loss without affecting short- or long-term surgical outcomes. The program improved […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Malnutrition Linked to Colorectal Cancer Outcomes
Researchers delved into the relationship between malnutrition, assessed by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and the outcomes of patients who had undergone curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). Those with lower GNRI scores had reduced overall survival and higher risk of recurrence, particularly within the first three years post-surgery. Importantly, this malnutrition also predicted […]
Factors Linked to Reduced Surgical Training Experience for General Surgery Residents
A study involving 20 institutions and over 1,300 general surgery residents found that those with the lowest logged case volume were more likely to be female, identify as underrepresented in medicine, and pursue fellowships. Additionally, they were more likely to have graduated from low-volume programs and institutions with lower National Institutes of Health funding. Understanding […]
Embolization Reduces Failure of Nonoperative Management in Blunt Splenic Trauma
Researchers compared outcomes in patients with splenic pseudoaneurysms (PSAs) following blunt trauma, some treated with splenic artery embolization (Embo) and others without (No-Embo). Patients who underwent embolization had a significantly lower rate of failure of nonoperative management (FNOM) compared to the No-Embo group (3.1% vs. 13.3%). The study suggests that embolization may play a crucial […]
3D Reconstructions Improve Understanding of Hepato-Biliary Surgical Anatomy
A multicentric survey involving 11 patients with liver tumors and 23 experienced surgeons demonstrated that 3D reconstructions significantly enhance the comprehension of complex liver anatomy and the relationship between tumors and adjacent vascular structures. Compared to standard 2D CT scans, the 3D models provided superior accuracy in identifying vascular structures related to tumors. This advancement […]
Mixed Results for Adjuvant Therapy in Duodenal and Ampullary Carcinomas
Researchers investigated whether adjuvant therapy benefits patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC) and intestinal subtype ampullary carcinoma (IAC) after surgery. The study found that while DAC patients with perineural invasion and IAC patients with specific risk factors (lymph node involvement, advanced tumor stage, perineural invasion) benefited from adjuvant therapy, overall survival wasn’t improved in all cases. […]
Early Career Surgeons Face Higher Mortality and Complication Rates
A comprehensive study involving over a million operations performed by 14,399 surgeons reveals a concerning trend: early career surgeons, especially those in their first year of practice, have higher mortality and severe complication rates compared to their peers in their 15th year of practice. This research underscores the need for additional support and training for […]
Polygenic Risk Score Enhances Diverticulitis Prediction
In the quest to predict diverticular disease’s course, researchers harnessed genetic insights. They developed a polygenic risk score based on prior genome-wide studies and tested it on nearly 61,000 patients. This score effectively stratified individuals by their risk of diverticulosis and diverticulitis, with significant differences between high and low-risk groups. It also improved recurrent diverticulitis […]
Enhancing Robotic Bariatric Surgery Training with Targeted Educational Resources
Surgical residents tackling robotic bariatric procedures got a boost from specialized educational resources. A study analyzing trainee performance metrics found that after distributing instructive case guides and narrated operative videos, residents spent more time actively operating the da Vinci surgical system. This increase was consistent across different levels of trainees. The study highlights the value […]
Stomach Partitioning Gastrojejunostomy Improves Outcomes for Gastric Outlet Obstruction in Unresectable Gastric Cancer
When faced with unresectable gastric cancer causing gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), the choice between stomach partitioning gastrojejunostomy (SPGJ) and conventional gastrojejunostomy (CGJ) matters. In a study involving 108 patients, SPGJ significantly reduced delayed gastric emptying, vomiting, and the need for prokinetics, enhancing patient recovery. Patients undergoing SPGJ resumed a solid diet faster and had shorter […]