Category: General Surgery

Day-case robotic liver resection: safety and feasibility

Day-case robotic liver resection is safe and feasible, with 65% of patients discharged within 24 hours. No major complications or mortalities were reported in this case series, indicating the potential for a shorter hospital stay and improved recovery. Implementation of follow-up pathways is crucial for monitoring and timely intervention. This study showcases the safety and […]

Impact of Care Fragmentation and Social Determinants on Postoperative Mortality

Veterans receiving more non-Veterans Affairs care and residing in highly deprived areas have higher postoperative mortality rates. Conversely, black veterans and those in rural areas exhibit lower mortality rates. Integrating social determinants of health into models did not enhance predictive accuracy. Addressing care fragmentation and considering area deprivation in care pathways could reduce postoperative mortality […]

Cephalosporins Superior to Non-cephalosporins in Preventing SSIs in Colorectal Surgery

Meta-analysis of eight studies demonstrates that the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) was significantly lower in patients receiving cephalosporin antibiotics compared to non-cephalosporins after colorectal surgery (14.8% vs 25.1%). Cephalosporins may be more effective in the short term, but long-term efficacy is similar. Clinicians should consider antibiotic spectrum, pharmacokinetics, and bacterial resistance when selecting […]

Robotic Surgery Shows Superiority Over Laparoscopic Surgery in Gastric Cancer Treatment

Robotic gastrectomy (RG) demonstrated higher overall survival, lower postoperative complications, faster recovery, and other advantages compared to laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) in gastric cancer patients. While mortality and disease-free survival were similar between the two techniques, RG offered better outcomes in specific scenarios like intracorporeal reconstruction and certain stages of cancer. These findings support the use […]

Prognostic Value of Examined Lymph Node Count in CRC

Higher examined lymph node (ELN) counts (≥17) in stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients correlate with improved long-term survival outcomes. ELN count independently predicts overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and progression-free survival. Subgroup analysis highlights benefits in patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy with medium to large ELN counts (≥12). Increased immune activation in the tumor microenvironment […]

Effects of grit on medical students’ clerkship wellbeing

Medical students’ perseverance, a subconstruct of grit, was found to be associated with lower burnout and higher compassion satisfaction during clerkships in both surgical and non-surgical specialty units. Older students experienced less burnout, and male students reported higher compassion satisfaction compared to their female counterparts. Cultivating perseverance in medical education could positively impact students’ well-being, […]

Endoscopic Resection Clinical Algorithm

Malignancies in the upper gastrointestinal tract can be effectively treated through endoscopic resection at an early stage. Key factors influencing successful resection include thorough pre-resection assessment, precise delineation of margins, and selection of appropriate resection techniques. This review outlines clinical algorithms for the endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, Barrett’s neoplasia, and gastric neoplasia, […]

Management and Prevention of Postoperative Ileus

Preventive measures like coffee consumption, probiotics, and use of dikenchuto within enhanced recovery programs significantly reduce postoperative ileus frequency and duration. Minimally invasive surgical approaches show promise as additional preventive strategies. Treatment options like alvimopan, NSAIDs, and acupuncture are effective, but lidocaine use raises concerns. Ongoing exploration of novel therapeutic strategies such as targeting mast […]

Higher Adoption of Best Practices in Minimally Invasive Surgery with Surgical Intelligence

Surgical intelligence led to a significant increase in Critical View of Safety (CVS) adoption in laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures, reaching 69.2% from 39.2% within six months. Visualization of the cystic duct and artery significantly improved adoption rates. Procedures with full CVS were shorter with fewer events, demonstrating improved efficiency. Surgical intelligence can uncover new insights, modify […]

Preoperative Biliary Stenting and Persistent Hyperbilirubinemia: Predicting Post-Hepatectomy Complications

Following preoperative biliary stenting, patients with persistent hyperbilirubinemia (>1.2 mg/dl) are at higher risk of serious complications post-anatomic hepatectomy. Persistent hyperbilirubinemia independently predicts increased rates of serious complications and mortality, highlighting its importance in preoperative risk assessment. Failed preoperative biliary drainage serves as a crucial predictive factor for adverse post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy. […]