The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) offers a cosmetic edge over traditional thyroid surgery. Researchers assessed TOETVA’s learning curve and its effectiveness in treating carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) tumors. The study found longer operation times in TOETVA, but it excelled in skin numbness and cosmetic outcomes. The learning curve analysis revealed that a […]
Author: STITCHES Newsletter
Predicting Postoperative Pneumonia in Esophageal Cancer Patients
Sarcopenia, a condition involving muscle loss, is common in esophageal cancer patients. This study delved into how sarcopenia, particularly during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), affects postoperative complications, especially postoperative pneumonia (PP). By analyzing 113 patients, they found that the criteria of the modified European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) before NAC had high […]
Optimal Inferior Mesenteric Artery Ligation in Colorectal Cancer Surgery
In colorectal cancer surgery, the debate about whether to perform high or low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) continues. This study compared the outcomes of both approaches and examined the extent of lymph node dissection of the IMA. The results, after matching patient groups, showed that high ligation was associated with better recurrence-free […]
ERCP Vital in Managing Post-COVID-19 Cholangiopathy with Dismal Prognosis
Endoscopic findings reveal that post-COVID-19 cholangiopathy resembles secondary sclerosing cholangitis, affecting critically ill patients. It emerges early during intensive care, causing significant and often irreversible damage to bile ducts. Typical cholangiographic features include a centripetal pattern of bile duct destruction, “vanishing bile ducts,” and intraductal biliary casts. This condition is associated with peribiliary liver abscesses. […]
Pretreatment Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value Predicts Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy Outcomes for Esophageal Cancer
Researchers assessed the Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV) as an indicator of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Among 218 patients, PIV was linked to achieving a pathological complete response. High PIV predicted poorer 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival compared to low PIV. PIV independently forecasted outcomes. A novel risk stratification model improved […]
Gender Bias in Colorectal Surgery Fellowship Recommendation Letters
An analysis of recommendation letters for colorectal surgery fellowship candidates revealed gender-based differences. Women applicants received longer short answer responses, while men applicants had lengthier letters. Furthermore, the study uncovered that men were often described with more technical skill-related terms, while women’s letters contained emotional and cognitive language. Recognizing these discrepancies is crucial for addressing […]
Understanding the Impact of Second Victim Syndrome (SVS) on Surgeons: A Scoping Review
A Scoping Review unpacked the underexplored realm of Second Victim Syndrome (SVS) in surgeons. SVS, affecting 50% of healthcare providers, often leads to enduring emotional turmoil, impacting personal lives and professional practices. The review emphasized that surgeons, due to their high-stress profession, also grapple with SVS. The study examined SVS’s prevalence, its psychological, physical, and […]
Active Learning Enhances Automated Recognition of Surgical Features in Esophageal Surgery
This study delves into “surgomics,” a method that customizes surgical outcome predictions using machine learning and real-time surgical data. The challenge? Gathering high-quality annotations from experts. To address this, the researchers investigated active learning (AL) to make annotation more efficient. They chose ten video-based features linked to intraoperative bleeding complications during robot-assisted esophagectomies. AL significantly […]
Preoperative Weight Loss Program in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with High BMI
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 […]
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 […]