Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 238 women with defecatory disorders and found that age, vaginal delivery, and prior pelvic surgery were associated with increased grades of rectal intussusception. The study also revealed that obstructive defecation symptoms and dyssynergic defecation were common across the groups. The findings suggest that abnormal levator ani laxity, independent of […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Prognosis-Oriented Definition of Borderline Resectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Improved Patient Outcomes
Researchers proposed a prognosis-oriented definition for borderline resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on a study of 221 patients. They identified risk factors for early recurrence, including serum α-fetoprotein levels ≥12 ng/ml, tumor diameters >5 cm, tumor number ≥3, and macrovascular invasion. With these criteria, they defined borderline resectable HCC as a tumor with two or […]
Uninsured Patients Experience Higher Rates of Unplanned Surgery and Worse Outcomes
A cross-sectional cohort study examining patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, ventral hernia, and colon cancer found that patients without health insurance were more likely to undergo unplanned surgery for these conditions compared to those with private insurance or Medicaid. Additionally, uninsured patients had higher rates of inpatient mortality, complications, and longer hospital stays. The study […]
Outcomes of Laparoscopic Subtotal Cholecystectomy: Safe Strategy for Difficult Gallbladders
Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe bailout strategy for difficult gallbladders when the critical view of safety cannot be achieved. In this retrospective cohort study, researchers compared postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy in patients with severe cholecystitis. They found that the laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy group had higher rates of bile leaks, […]
Positive Outcomes of Kono-S Anastomosis in Crohn’s Disease: Low Complications and Recurrence Rates
In a large series of Crohn’s disease patients, the Kono-S anastomosis demonstrated very low postoperative complication rates (1.5% anastomotic failure, 6.1% infection). Surgical recurrence occurred in 7.6% of cases, with perianal disease, urgent/emergent surgery, and postoperative steroid use associated with increased risk. The anastomosis showed promising short- and long-term outcomes, suggesting it as a safe […]
Long-term Locoregional Control and Survival in Low Rectal Cancer: Transanal Radical Proctosigmoidectomy Outcomes
A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the local recurrence and survival rates after transanal abdominal transanal radical proctosigmoidectomy for low rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The study included 255 patients and found that the procedure demonstrated excellent long-term locoregional control and a 5-year overall survival rate of 84.1%. The results suggest […]
Transient Hyperthyroidism Common After Parathyroidectomy
This study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of hyperthyroidism after parathyroidectomy. In a prospective study of 91 patients, 24.2% had suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) after the procedure, with 2.2% reporting symptoms of hyperthyroidism. However, all cases resolved within 6 weeks without medical intervention. The suppressed TSH group had a higher rate of […]
Significant Outcomes of Establishing a Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery Service in Uganda
Researchers analyzed data from patients who underwent complex hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeries in Uganda, reporting that most patients were females with a median age of 50 years. The most common surgeries performed were on the bile ducts, with a high prevalence of malignancy. Despite challenges like limited access to imaging technology, the in-hospital mortality rate was relatively […]
Decision-Making Factors and Frequency of Intraoperative Changes to Hartmann’s Procedure in Rectal Cancer Surgery
Rectal cancer patients who underwent Hartmann’s procedure were significantly older, had more comorbidities, and were more likely to have the procedure preoperatively due to comorbidities or oncological reasons. In 23% of cases, the decision to perform Hartmann’s procedure was made intraoperatively, mainly due to anastomotic difficulties and oncological reasons. Factors increasing the risk of intraoperative […]
Poor quality of surgical outcome reporting persists in medical literature
Out of 627 articles reporting surgical outcomes, only 1 met all quality criteria, while 356 articles fulfilled less than half. Cumulative morbidity burden and patient-reported outcomes were commonly missing. Higher impact medical journals had better reporting compared to surgical journals. There has been little improvement in the quality of outcome reporting over the past 20 […]