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Best Papers in General Surgery
The five that matter, every day.
An analysis of the National Health Interview Survey highlights significant financial toxicity among U.S. patients with hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers. Of 5.6 million adults, 10.1% delayed medical care due to cost, while 8.4% could not afford necessary treatment. Uninsured patients faced markedly higher odds of financial…
A study assessed the learning curve of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy among a first-generation surgeon. It identified three phases: competency, proficiency, and mastery, with significant reductions in operative time and complication rates as experience increased. At 90 days, severe morbidity was 24% and mortality was 5.4%. Mastery…
A retrospective analysis of 164 liver resections for primary intrahepatic lithiasis demonstrated that minimally invasive techniques, which increased to 60% of surgeries, significantly reduced morbidity and hospital stays compared to traditional open surgery. Key complications included a 16% rate of bile fistula and 30% of…
A systematic review and meta-analysis reveals that contact X-ray brachytherapy (CXB) provides an 82% clinical complete response rate in rectal cancer patients, presenting a compelling alternative to radical surgery. With a 14% salvage surgery rate and 81% organ preservation, CXB demonstrates long-term disease control, particularly…
A study of 415 patients identified that 89 (21%) had biliary dyskinesia, primarily affecting younger women (median age 46, BMI 28). Abdominal pain was the most common symptom. Pathological evaluations showed chronic cholecystitis in 84% of cases. Importantly, all patients with biliary dyskinesia experienced symptom…
A multihospital study analyzed 4,316 cholecystectomy patients, comparing robotic and laparoscopic techniques. Results indicated that robotic cholecystectomy was linked to significantly lower conversion rates to open surgery and overall favorable clinical outcomes. This research represents one of the largest retrospective analyses highlighting the benefits of…
Broad implementation of Watch-and-Wait for rectal cancer in the Netherlands shows promising results. Among 1,080 patients, 45% achieved clinical complete response post-treatment, with a three-year organ preservation rate of 76%. The study also found a 23% incidence of local regrowth and an overall survival rate…
Researchers aim to assess the impact of standardized prehabilitation protocols on clinical outcomes for colorectal cancer patients in the Netherlands. By recruiting 1,070 patients, including those undergoing prehabilitation and a matched historical cohort, they will analyze postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and readmission rates.…
A three-pronged approach is proposed to leverage artificial intelligence in improving surgical care access, particularly for underserved populations. By emphasizing data quality, continuous system evaluation, and ethical governance, researchers suggest that AI can reduce disparities in health outcomes. This approach addresses the risks associated with…
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has improved patient outcomes, yet its implementation in Africa faces significant hurdles. Economic constraints, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and lack of training limit its adoption across the continent. Notably, only Egypt and South Africa have established robotic surgery programs. However, advancements in…
