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Robotic surgery is poised to overtake laparoscopic techniques.

A significant trend toward robotic surgery is evident, especially in urologic procedures and complex surgeries such as hepatectomy and esophagectomy. Despite remaining relevant in colectomy, laparoscopic techniques are declining in most specialties. Open surgery continues to be prevalent, particularly in pancreatic and rectal operations. Projections indicate that by 2026, robotic surgery may surpass laparoscopic approaches in both colectomy and proctectomy, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation in surgical training and healthcare resource allocation.

Journal Article by Violante T, Ferrari D, Novelli M and Larson DW in Ann Surg

Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Sarcopenia predicts postoperative complications in colorectal cancer surgery

In a study of 387 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection for non-metastatic colorectal cancer, 40.31% were identified as sarcopenic. The overall postoperative complication rate reached 32.3%, with serious complications occurring in 12.1% of patients. Sarcopenic patients experienced significantly higher rates of total complications and serious issues, including anastomotic leakage and surgical site infections. Notably, sarcopenia was confirmed as an independent risk factor for complications, emphasizing its importance in preoperative assessment.

Journal Article by Su S, Lin Z (…) Huang R et 8 al. in Int J Colorectal Dis

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Eight treatments effectively reduce postoperative ileus.

An umbrella review of 24 meta-analyses revealed eight treatments that significantly alleviate postoperative ileus. Chewing gum, coffee, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, acupuncture, opioid receptor antagonists, da-cheng-qi-tang, early enteral nutrition, and zusanli point injection therapy improved outcomes. Additionally, opioid receptor antagonists, early enteral nutrition, ERAS, and chewing gum notably shortened postoperative hospital stays. However, the safety and effectiveness of other treatment methods require further high-quality investigation.

Systematic Review by Zhang P, Lin Y (…) Sun D et 10 al. in Langenbecks Arch Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Surgeons reach consensus on standardized theatre etiquette guidelines

A Delphi study involving 261 surgical professionals from 23 countries established a consensus on 29 statements of theatre etiquette, aimed at enhancing professional conduct and communication in operating environments. This initiative addresses the inconsistencies often seen in training newcomers to surgical teams, including medical students and resident trainees. The guidance developed is intended to serve as a vital resource, ensuring professionalism and effective team dynamics among surgical staff.

Journal Article by El Boghdady M, Hardie J and Brennan PA in Ann R Coll Surg Engl

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New Nomogram Enhances Prognostic Accuracy for Liver Cancer Patients

A novel prognostic nomogram was developed to assess cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with distant-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (dm-hcc). Using data from 651 patients, the model identified key predictors: alpha-fetoprotein levels, tumor grade, T stage, and treatment types. The nomogram achieved a c-index of 0.721 and 0.726 in training and validation sets, respectively, demonstrating strong predictive reliability. This tool allows clinicians to effectively stratify patients into low- and high-risk groups, aiding in tailored treatment strategies.

Journal Article by Heng Q, Leng Y, Bai G and Yu H in Medicine (Baltimore)

Copyright © 2025 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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Neoadjuvant chemotherapy enhances survival rates in colon cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has demonstrated improved five-year overall survival (81.4% versus 77.8%) and disease-free survival (79.2% versus 73.7%) in patients with locally advanced colon cancer compared to upfront surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Researchers analyzed eight randomized controlled trials involving 3,038 patients, finding NAC to result in better surgical margin outcomes without increasing surgical risks. These findings advocate for NAC as a viable treatment option in managing locally advanced colon cancer.

Journal Article by Sassun R, Sileo A (…) Larson DW et 5 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. Society of Surgical Oncology.

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Digital cholangioscopy is safer than surgery for Mirizzi syndrome

A multicenter study comparing digital single-operator cholangioscopy (DSOC) and surgery for Mirizzi syndrome reveals that despite lower technical success rates, DSOC significantly reduces overall and severe adverse events. Among 290 patients, those undergoing DSOC exhibited fewer complications and lower rates of conversion to open surgery and need for hepaticojejunostomy. These findings suggest that DSOC is effective for patients with more comorbidities, providing a safer alternative to traditional surgical approaches.

Journal Article by Bronswijk M, Tengan J (…) Van der Merwe SW et 22 al. in Endoscopy

Thieme. All rights reserved.

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Prehabilitation strategies improve outcomes in digestive cancer surgery

A recent network meta-analysis involving 2042 patients indicates that prehabilitation significantly decreases hospital stay and postoperative complications while enhancing functional recovery. Exercise-based prehabilitation outperformed other strategies for minimizing complications and improving walking distance post-surgery. Multimodal approaches also excelled in improving quality of life and alleviating depressive symptoms before surgery. Gastric cancer patients showed marked benefits in complication reduction, highlighting the potential of tailored prehabilitation strategies for optimal patient outcomes.

Journal Article by Wang Z, Li J, Zhang Q and Chen X in J Gastrointest Surg

Copyright © 2025 Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Apixaban reduces VTE rates compared to enoxaparin in surgery

A study investigating postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in colorectal surgery found that patients receiving apixaban had significantly lower rates of VTE (0.16%) compared to those on enoxaparin (1.29%), with a p-value of 0.023. Despite differences in patient demographics, such as age and operative complexity, the rates of postoperative bleeding were similar between both groups. These findings suggest that apixaban may be a more effective postoperative option for VTE prevention in colorectal surgery patients.

Journal Article by Ziegler O, Greene AC (…) Deutsch MJ et 5 al. in J Surg Res

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery research shows rapid growth

Advancements in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery have fostered substantial growth in academic research, particularly after 2019. Analyzing 8,375 publications, the study reveals a surge in productivity and citation impact, with Yonsei University leading contributions. The United States remains dominant in output, while “Surgical Endoscopy” tops volume metrics. Notably, frequent keywords highlight focal areas like robotic and laparoscopic surgery, underscoring its potential in abdominal tumor procedures. Future efforts are needed to enhance collaboration and address geographic disparities for better patient outcomes.

Review by Cao P, Wang G (…) Zhu S et 3 al. in J Robot Surg

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.

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