A systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world studies examined the safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who experience gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH). Apixaban showed a lower risk of GIH compared to dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Rivaroxaban was associated with an increased risk of GIH compared to dabigatran […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Nerve Block Shows Promise in Easing Pancreatic Cancer Pain
In a network meta-analysis of ten randomized controlled trials, researchers assessed the effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) in addition to medical management for abdominal pain in unresectable pancreatic cancer. Results favored EUS-CPN combined with medical management, showing significantly reduced pain intensity at 4 and 12 weeks compared to medical management alone or […]
Pancreatic Cancer on the Rise Globally: Factors and Future Projections
Researchers analyzed data from 2020 to 2040 to understand the trends in pancreatic cancer (PC) incidence and mortality worldwide. PC is linked to higher socioeconomic status, with Asia, especially China, bearing the greatest burden. Among age groups, those aged 65 and older are most affected, except in countries with medium and low human development indices […]
Optimizing Lymph Node Surgery for Duodenal Cancer Improves Patient Outcomes
In patients with non-ampullary duodenal adenocarcinoma (NADAC), researchers studied the extent of regional lymphadenectomy based on tumor location and its effect on survival. They found that certain lymph nodes, such as those near the pancreas and superior mesenteric artery, were frequently affected by metastasis. Implementing number-based nodal classification, they identified key regional nodes, allowing for […]
Perioperative Immunonutrition Reduces Postoperative Complications in Neck Cancer Patients
This study delves into the impact of perioperative immunonutrition on patients with head and neck or gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Researchers analyzed 48 randomized controlled trials involving 4,825 patients and found that immunonutrition significantly decreased both total postoperative complications and infectious complications compared to standard nutritional therapy. This suggests that immunonutrition can play a vital role […]
Tumor Necrosis Independently Predicts Poor Survival in Gallbladder Carcinoma Patients
This study delved into the significance of tumor necrosis in gallbladder carcinoma patients who underwent curative-intent surgery. Researchers analyzed 213 patients and found that the presence of tumor necrosis was linked to more aggressive tumor characteristics, such as larger size, poor differentiation, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and higher tumor status. Importantly, tumor necrosis emerged […]
Preserving Bronchial Arteries Reduces Postoperative Pneumonia After Esophagectomy
This study explored the impact of preserving bronchial arteries during radical esophagectomy, a surgical procedure for esophageal cancer, on the incidence of postoperative pneumonia. Researchers analyzed 348 patients and found that preserving bronchial arteries was associated with a decreased risk of postoperative pneumonia. They also identified factors like smoking history and lung function as additional […]
Fragility Index Reveals Limited Robustness in Diverticular Disease Trial Outcomes
Researchers reviewed randomized trials exploring interventions for diverticular disease patients. They assessed the trials’ robustness using the fragility index, which measures how many non-events must turn into events to raise a p-value above 0.05. Analyzing 15 studies, they found a concerning lack of robustness. Changing a single outcome event often rendered statistically significant findings non-significant, […]
Objective Assessment of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Safety Proven Highly Reliable
A new, procedure-specific assessment called the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Critical View of Safety (LC-CVS OPSA) was developed to evaluate laparoscopic cholecystectomy performance. In a multinational study, this assessment exhibited high inter-rater reliability when used by expert laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgeons. The LC-CVS OPSA consists of six items focusing on safe surgical practices, offering a valuable tool for […]
Customizing Common Channel Length Improves Outcomes in Duodenal Switch Surgery
In the world of single-anastomosis duodenal switch surgery (SADI-S), many surgeons follow a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to common channel length. However, this study shows that tailoring the common channel length based on individual measurements of total bowel length (TBL) significantly reduces reoperations and late complications. A group that underwent SADI-S with TBL measurements […]