Researchers investigated the safety and feasibility of a modified lymph node dissection (LLND) in mid-low-lying rectal cancer, involving routine resection of visceral branches of internal iliac vessels. The study compared two groups: one with routine resection (RVR) and one without (NVR). The RVR group saw reduced operative times without a significant difference in postoperative complications […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Review Finds Combination of Mechanical Devices More Effective for Preventing VTE After Surgery
A systematic review compared the effectiveness of mechanical prophylaxis devices in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) during and after surgery. The study included 14 articles and found that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) was superior to graduated compression stockings (GCS) when used alone. Additionally, a combination of IPC and GCS showed greater efficacy compared to GCS alone, […]
Dilation Status Irrelevant in Bile Duct Injury Repairs: Surgical and Radiological Drainages Equally Effective
A retrospective study on 87 patients who underwent hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) for bile duct injuries (BDI) aimed to determine whether the dilation status of the bile duct before repair affected outcomes. The study found that dilation status had no impact on short- or long-term results, including anastomotic stricture rates. Patients without preoperative dilation had more severe […]
Remote Assessment of Surgical Safety Checklists
Researchers utilized the OR Black Box, a surgical data capture system, to evaluate surgical safety checklist performance across 7 North American academic medical centers. Their analysis of 7,243 surgical procedures revealed that most included a time-out (98.4%) and 62.3% included a debrief. These procedures often involved a majority of OR staff, with team introductions leading […]
How Condition Timing Impacts Liver Surgery Outcomes
In the realm of liver surgery, understanding the “condition(s) present at time of surgery” (PATOS) from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) database is crucial. Researchers explored postoperative complications, considering PATOS, and found that when these conditions were factored in, complication rates dropped across the board. Their study, covering data from 2015 to 2019, highlights […]
Conversion to Open Surgery in Liver Resection: Risks and Consequences
Researchers delved into minimally invasive liver resections (MILR) and what happens when they switch to open procedures. Out of 1,675 patients, 6.1% required a switch due to unfavorable findings or intraoperative issues. Those needing a conversion experienced higher complications, blood loss, and mortality. Intraoperative conversions had even worse outcomes, emphasizing the need for cautious planning […]
Surgical Tele-Mentoring Enhances Robotic Surgery
This study explored the impact of surgical tele-mentoring, where remote experts guide local surgeons via robotic technology. They conducted a feasibility study in fields like general, urology, gynecology, and thoracic surgery, with 15 cases. The results were impressive; participants reported enhanced procedural competence, timely interventions, improved surgical efficiency, and better decision-making. Connectivity remained robust with […]
Endoscopic Resection for Duodenal Tumors: What to Watch For
A study on 141 patients with duodenal submucosal tumors (SMTs) explored the outcomes of endoscopic resection (ER). Results showed that 78.7% achieved complete resection, but 6.4% faced complications. High-risk factors for complications included SMTs near the duodenal papilla and those with a diameter exceeding 15mm. Additionally, submucosal fibrosis, SMTs near the duodenal papilla, and irregular […]
Pregnant Surgeons’ Musculoskeletal Pain
The study delves into work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) among pregnant surgeons, an understudied area. Surveying 53 pregnant surgeons, it revealed that almost all of them (94.7%) experienced an exacerbation of WRMD symptoms due to workplace activities. Over 13% had to take unplanned time off work. Strikingly, beyond 24 weeks of pregnancy, a majority continued surgeries, […]
Comparing Open and Laparoscopic Surgery for Hernia Repair
In the INCH-trial, researchers conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing open and laparoscopic surgery for incisional hernia repair. They initially believed laparoscopic surgery would offer advantages, but after studying 88 patients, found no significant differences in hospital stay, quality of life, or recurrence rates. Dissatisfaction was higher in the open surgery group. These results […]