In the robotic frontier of pancreaticoduodenectomy, a study of 400 patients revealed a 10.5% unplanned conversion rate. Men, especially, faced this detour, often due to vascular surprises or bleeding challenges. While conversions meant shorter surgeries, they spiked blood loss and complications, with higher mortality rates. Thankfully, conversion rates decreased over time, suggesting growing surgeon proficiency. […]
Category: General Surgery
Beyond CT Scans: Nomogram Outshines in Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer
In a game-changing move for superficial colorectal cancer, researchers crafted a user-friendly nomogram for personalized lymph node metastasis (LNM) prediction after endoscopic surgery. Analyzing 608 cases, the nomogram trumped traditional CT scans, showcasing superior predictive power, as validated by ROC, DCA, and clinical impact curves. By spotlighting age, tumor features, and lipid levels, this tool […]
Seeing Green: Assessing Indocyanine’s Impact in Surgery Through Meta-Review
Exploring the surge in indocyanine green’s (ICG) role in surgeries, this meta-review of 116 studies uncovered varying ICG applications, from bariatric to urologic procedures. Despite benefits in anastomotic leak prevention, especially in colorectal surgery, and limited advantages in sentinel node detection, the study cautions on methodological shortcomings. Most meta-analyses scored low quality per AMSTAR 2, […]
A Mental Fitness Pilot for Academic Surgeons
In a pioneering initiative, academic surgeons underwent a six-week Positive Intelligence (PQ) training program, aiming to uplift mental fitness and well-being. Results from 15 participants showed significant PQ score improvements (59 to 65), endorsing the program’s impact. High users reported ongoing benefits, fostering a supportive community. While sleep and well-being metrics didn’t significantly shift, the […]
Breaking Tradition: Bowel Preparations Questioned in Colo-Rectal Surgeries
In a retrospective dive into 1237 elective colo-rectal surgeries spanning 2008 to 2021, researchers challenged the long-standing use of mechanical bowel preparations (MBPs). No significant differences emerged between patients with MBPs, oral antibiotics, or no preparation, calling into question the routine use of MBPs in these surgeries. This study urges a rethink of the standard-of-care […]
Melding Ancient Wisdom with Modern Medicine: Navigating Uncertainty in Transplants
To advance solid organ transplantation, the integration of personalized medicine is paramount. Beyond enhanced risk assessment and diagnostics, there’s a pressing need for targeted therapies and predictive markers. The study advocates a paradigm shift, urging clinicians to embrace uncertainty and probabilistic reasoning. Crucially, effective communication about inherent uncertainties is vital for both healthcare professionals and […]
High Stakes for Cirrhotic Patients: Risks Post Emergency Appendicectomy
In England, a cohort study on emergency appendicectomy reveals stark realities for cirrhotic patients. Among 40,353 cases, 75 had cirrhosis, facing a threefold increase in 90-day mortality compared to non-cirrhotic counterparts. Notably older with more comorbidities, cirrhotic patients had prolonged hospital stays (4 vs. 3 days) and higher readmission rates (20% vs. 11%). The 90-day […]
Navigating Robotic Surgery Skill Assessment: A Systematic Review
In the ever-evolving realm of robotic surgery, researchers conducted a systematic review to pinpoint reliable tools for assessing surgeons’ technical skills. Among 247 studies, global rating scales and the da Vinci Skills Simulator took the lead. However, scrutiny revealed a lack of robust validation for both manual and automated assessment tools. The verdict: before entering […]
Palliative Care’s Impact on Pancreatic Cancer: Costs Down, Outcomes Up
Researchers delved into the impact of inpatient palliative care consultation (PCC) for pancreatic cancer, revealing a game-changer. Among 175,805 patients, PCC correlated with decreased costs, shorter cumulative hospital stays, and reduced 30-day readmissions. Despite a slight uptick in PCC utilization from 2016 to 2020, the study underscores the need for heightened practitioner awareness and strategies […]
Swallowing Woes Post-Thyroid Surgery: A Senior’s Struggle
Unveiling the scoop on older adults, researchers spill the tea on dysphagia after thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Surveying 175 patients, aged 65 on average, they found 77.7% reported pre-op swallowing troubles, 22.4% more in frail folks. Post-op, 43.4% and 49.1% faced worse scores at 3 and 6 months. Pre-op dysphagia meant a 3.07-fold risk of […]