Endoscopic resection is a safe and effective method for treating intermediate- or high-risk gastric small gastrointestinal stromal tumors, with a 5-year overall survival rate of 97.4%. Close follow-up is necessary for these patients, but there were no recurrences or metastases observed, even among those with R1 resections. This approach allows for a wait-and-see strategy before […]
Category: General Surgery
Caffeine Consumption and Bowel Recovery After Colorectal Surgery
A meta-analysis of eight studies with 610 patients found that caffeine intake after colorectal surgery significantly reduces time to first bowel movement and time to first solid food intake. The data suggest that postoperative caffeine consumption can be a useful strategy to prevent postoperative ileus. However, time to first flatus, length of hospital stay, and […]
Quality Assessment of Meta-Analyses on the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
Meta-analyses show that the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist is associated with lower complication and mortality rates. However, the studies in these analyses were mostly observational, with potential biases, leading to critically low overall confidence in the results. Using the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool, the systematic review highlighted the limitations in statistical methods and publication bias. […]
Prognostic Biomarkers in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients
This study of 245 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) found that post-treatment blood markers, such as platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), predicted pathological complete response. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at two treatment timepoints significantly predicted overall survival, while the platelet-neutrophil (PN) index was associated with disease-free survival. In patients with pathological stage II, the PN […]
Liver Pucker Sign as a Predictor of Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
The liver pucker sign, a depression in the region of the gallbladder caused by chronic contractive inflammation, indicates a challenging laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A case series reports three instances where the pucker sign was discovered during surgery, suggesting it can be used to anticipate complications. This sign typically arises in cases of chronic cholecystitis with delayed […]
Guidelines for Maximising Tissue Value in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Management
Pathologists developed recommendations based on international consensus to enhance the clinical value of tissue samples in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma management. The guidance includes consensus statements on specimen handling, reporting content, and the need for molecular information to guide personalised therapies. These recommendations aim to standardize reporting practices and optimize tissue utilization for improved patient care. Journal […]
Transarterial Chemoembolization with Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Improves Outcomes in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy (TACE-T-I) shows greater efficacy and safety compared to TACE with targeted therapy alone (TACE-T) in treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A meta-analysis of 14 studies with 2144 patients revealed that the TACE-T-I group had higher overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), as well as a […]
Validation of Indonesian Hemorrhoidal Disease Symptom Score and Short Health Scale
The Indonesian adaptations of the Hemorrhoidal Disease Symptom Score (HDSS) and the Short Health Scale Hemorrhoidal Disease (SHSHD) have been validated and confirmed as reliable tools for assessing health-related quality of life in Indonesian patients with hemorrhoidal disease. The study included 91 patients (55 males, 36 females). The correlations in the subscale interpretations and the […]
Safe Postoperative Outcomes Following Early Cholecystectomy for Acute Calculus Cholecystitis
Early cholecystectomy for acute calculus cholecystitis shows safe postoperative outcomes, regardless of symptom onset timing. Operative time was longest for patients with delayed surgery, but bile leaks and conversion rates were similar across groups. Hospital stay was slightly longer for those operated on within 72 hours of symptoms. Surgeons can confidently perform early cholecystectomy for […]
Reducing Invasive Evaluations in Patients with Incidental Common Bile Duct Dilation
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for incidental common bile duct (CBD) dilation revealed that only 8.3% of cases had significant findings. Researchers identified predictors including age ≥70, non-biliary-type abdominal pain, CBD diameter ≥15 mm, and prior ERCP. A novel clinical prediction model was created, scoring age, pain type, prior ERCP, and CBD dilation. A score