The second Lancet Oncology Commission released a roadmap focused on improving access to cancer surgery worldwide through eight actionable solutions. By integrating the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and addressing barriers and implementation timelines, the commission aims to enhance clinical care and reduce inequities. The series in the Annals of Surgical Oncology will highlight […]
Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities
Combining enteral and parenteral nutrition enhances recovery in cancer patients
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials revealed that combining enteral and parenteral nutrition significantly improves postoperative recovery, nutritional function, and immune responses in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The findings suggest that this combined approach offers superior energy intake and prognosis compared to enteral nutrition or parenteral nutrition alone. However, researchers note […]
Robotic surgery access disparities hinder care for vulnerable populations
Research reveals that while minimally invasive surgery (MIS), especially robotic surgery, offers significant benefits, safety-net hospitals often lack the necessary resources. This results in reduced access for underserved and marginalized populations to essential surgical interventions. Consequently, patients in these communities miss out on improved outcomes, shorter recovery, and decreased complications associated with MIS. This gap […]
Improvements noted in cancer recurrence data reporting quality
A significant decline in cancer recurrence data missingness was observed from 2004 to 2021, with reduction rates of 7.3% for breast and 11.5% for pancreatic cancers. However, challenges persist, notably inadequate physician documentation and interpretation variability. Factors such as driving distance and geographic location contributed to increased missingness, with surveys indicating that 67.8% of respondents […]
Simulation-Based Education Enhances Surgical Training Globally
Simulation-based education emerges as a vital adjunct to traditional surgical training, addressing challenges like patient safety and increasing healthcare demands. By providing realistic training environments, it enhances both technical and nontechnical skills, including communication and teamwork. Telesimulation enables remote training opportunities, potentially reducing disparities between high-income and low-income nations where simulation is underutilized. Collaborative efforts […]
Interventions can combat low health literacy in surgical patients
Over one-third of surgical patients experience low health literacy, notably affecting older, rural, and Black populations. This condition leads to poor compliance with medical instructions, extended hospital stays, increased readmission rates, and higher healthcare costs. However, health literacy is modifiable, prompting opportunities for impactful interventions at patient, provider, and system levels. Researchers advocate for enhanced […]
Enhancing Surgical Care Access in Rural Areas
Addressing surgical care access in rural populations reveals significant challenges, including geographical barriers, workforce reduction, and financial strains on hospitals. These factors contribute to health disparities between rural and urban residents. The study highlights colorectal care as a focal point for improving service delivery, emphasizing strategies such as optimizing care locations, enhancing coordination, and fostering […]
Robotic surgery research has significantly increased over the last decade.
Recent analysis highlights a consistent rise in robotic surgery publications from 2014 to 2023, with the United States leading in both quantity and citations. The Journal of Robotic Surgery tops the publication list, while the University of Washington presents the highest average citation rate. Key research areas include techniques, complications, and applications across various medical […]
Serious illness exacerbates post-surgical pain and caregiving needs.
The analysis of 1,896 older adults who underwent major elective surgeries revealed that 60% had serious illness. Notably, those with serious illness experienced greater baseline levels of pain (43% vs. 38%), depression (22% vs. 13%), and required assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) compared to their healthier counterparts. Post-surgery, serious illness was significantly associated […]
New Risk Tool Effectively Assesses Surgical Risks in Elderly
A novel geriatric risk stratification tool demonstrates strong effectiveness in predicting postoperative complications among nonagenarians and centenarians. In a study involving 3,085 surgical patients, the tool achieved a discriminative accuracy of 0.857 for any complication and 0.833 for severe complications. In-hospital mortality prediction showed fair accuracy at 0.780. This innovation offers valuable insights for clinicians […]