Chewing gum significantly reduces time to first postoperative flatus and bowel movement by over 12 and 19 hours, respectively, while cutting hospital stays by nearly a day. It also lowers the incidence of bowel obstruction. Involving nearly 5,000 patients across 35 trials, this systematic review endorses gum as an effective, safe, and cost-efficient addition to […]
Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities
Robot-Assisted Surgery Adoption Surge: From 1% to 33% Nationwide
Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) adoption in the Netherlands skyrocketed over the last decade, jumping from 1% to 33% for pancreatic resections. The trend reflects broader integration across gastrointestinal and thoracic surgeries, with RAS now utilized in 20% of all procedures. Notably, rectal surgeries experienced the greatest uptick, with adoption peaking at 45%. This growth offers significant […]
Key Operating Room Factors Elevate Surgical Site Infection Risks
A retrospective analysis of 479 general surgery patients revealed that 12.5% developed surgical site infections (SSIs). Independent risk factors for SSIs included elevated body mass index, diabetes mellitus, emergency surgeries, prolonged operative times, conventional operating room settings, changes in surgical personnel, and poor adherence to infection control measures like instrument sterilization and hand hygiene. Addressing […]
Endosonography-guided Coloenterostomy Offers Major Survival Benefits in Palliative Care
Endosonography-guided coloenterostomy (CE) significantly enhances outcomes for patients with small-bowel ileus due to peritoneal carcinomatosis. In a cohort of 17 patients, CE achieved a 94% technical success rate, with most experiencing symptom relief and improved quality of life. Notably, overall survival spanned 86 days compared to 14 days with conventional gastrostomy. Moreover, over half had […]
65% of Patients Return to Normal Activities Within 30 Days Post-Surgery
Within 30 days of major abdominal surgery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 65.3% of patients reported returning to normal activities. Factors influencing recovery included the type of surgery: patients undergoing benign procedures (67%) and minor operations (71%) experienced higher return rates than those with cancer or major surgeries. The urgency for rehabilitation pathways is […]
Non-cancer deaths now exceed cancer-related fatalities post-surgery in many patients.
A groundbreaking analysis of over 3.4 million cancer patients reveals a striking shift in postoperative mortality. For 14 of 21 solid tumors, non-cancer deaths—including cardiovascular diseases and infections—now dominate, accounting for nearly half of post-surgical fatalities. Surgical interventions amplifying these risks require urgent attention, especially for lung and pancreatic cancer patients. While short-term mortality has […]
New Antiseptic Olanexidine Cuts Surgical Site Infection Rates in Gastroenterology
Olanexidine gluconate (OLG) outperforms traditional antiseptics in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs) during gastroenterological surgeries, according to a meta-analysis of nine studies involving 7,807 patients. OLG significantly decreased both overall and incisional SSIs without increasing adverse skin reactions, marking it as a promising alternative for preoperative disinfection. These findings suggest potential improvements in SSI management […]
New Nomogram Accurately Predicts Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction After Surgery
A novel nomogram effectively predicts the risk of intestinal barrier dysfunction (IBDF) in patients post-major abdominal surgery. Analyzing 684 patients, researchers identified eight independent predictors, achieving an AUC of 0.946 in the training cohort and 0.944 in validation. This tool allows clinicians to identify high-risk patients early, enhancing treatment decisions and potentially reducing complications linked […]
Gut Microbiota Plays a Pivotal Role in Surgical Outcomes
The gut microbiome significantly influences recovery trajectories after surgery and trauma, reshaping patient outcomes beyond genetic predispositions. Individual life histories dictate microbiota composition, which can affect organ systems such as the liver, kidneys, and brain. This review shifts the focus from solely pathogenic bacteria to the complex interactions among pathogens, hosts, and the microbiome, termed […]
Wide Variation in Opioid Prescribing for Emergency Surgery Patients
Opioid prescribing in emergency general surgery varies significantly across hospitals, with discrepancies of 1.5 to 3.7 times in morphine equivalents. While most discharges follow elective guidelines (75%-96%), compliance drops sharply for colectomy, with only 4% adherence compared to 25% for appendectomy. Increased comorbidity and ASA classification correlate with non-guideline prescriptions, highlighting an urgent need for […]