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Acupoint Stimulation Speeds Up Recovery Post-Abdominal Surgery

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) significantly accelerates gastrointestinal recovery after abdominal surgery, according to a meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials involving 2,300 patients. TEAS decreases time to first flatus and defecation, expedites oral intake, and reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting. It also lessens pain intensity and lowers hospital stays and costs. These findings underscore TEAS’s potential as an effective adjunct in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols.

Journal Article by Wu C, Deng Z (…) Tu Q et 6 al. in Int J Surg

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

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Anti-PD-1 Therapy Boosts Survival in High-Risk HCC Patients

Postoperative anti-PD-1 therapy significantly enhances overall survival and recurrence-free survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, particularly those with vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC), a marker of aggressive disease. Among 388 patients studied, those receiving the therapy showed improved outcomes compared to untreated counterparts, while VETC status emerged as a crucial prognostic biomarker. This study underscores the importance of tailoring immunotherapy based on disease aggressiveness.

Observational Study by Zhao X, Peng Y, Hu A and Jiang S in BMC Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Innovative strategies needed to combat surgical site infections

Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a critical threat in low- and middle-income countries, affecting up to 25% of surgical patients. Limited resources and rising multidrug-resistant pathogens worsen the challenge. Tailored interventions, including active surveillance, revised surgical practices, and enhanced patient education, offer promising solutions. By emphasizing infection prevention and fostering collaboration among healthcare providers and policymakers, LMICs can enhance surgical outcomes and reduce SSI prevalence, addressing a pressing need in global health.

Letter by Tahir MF, Mughal S (…) Jaber Amin MH et 3 al. in Ann Med Surg (Lond)

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

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Elderly, ASA Status Influence ERAS Adherence in Surgery

Advanced age, inflammatory bowel disease, and higher ASA scores significantly reduce adherence to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in elective colorectal surgeries. Involving 656 patients, the study reveals that weakly non-adherent patients had fewer complications and shorter hospital stays compared to non-adherent peers. Specifically, older patients and those with higher ASA classifications experienced longer hospitalizations and increased postoperative complications. Targeted strategies to boost adherence among these high-risk groups could enhance surgical outcomes.

Journal Article by Bertocchi E, Masini G (…) Ruffo G et 5 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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Endoscopic Suturing Mitigates Surgery Needs for Large Zenker’s Diverticula

Endoscopic suturing proves a game-changer for large Zenker’s diverticula, leading to enhanced outcomes. A study of 75 patients revealed that those undergoing z-poem with endoscopic suturing faced no postoperative interventions, compared to a significant portion of patients with the clip closure option. The technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 89.5%, respectively. Notably, dysphagia scores worsened for those with diverticula over 4 cm post-surgery, highlighting the need for better approaches in this patient group.

Journal Article by Rwigema JN, Anderson D (…) Ujiki MB et 3 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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Prehospital GCS Scores Predict Trauma Mortality Effectively

Early assessment using the Glasgow Coma Scale motor score proves crucial for predicting mortality outcomes after trauma. A machine-learning model analyzing factors within three hours, 24 hours, and 30 days highlights the initial GCS motor score and worst GCS as consistent mortality predictors. Their efficacy spans the leading causes of death, including traumatic brain injury and uncontrolled hemorrhage. This groundbreaking predictive model underscores the potential to optimize resource allocation for trauma care.

Journal Article by Brito AMP, Tatebe LC (…) Schreiber MA et 5 al. in J Surg Res

Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Sarcopenia Significantly Harms Outcomes in GI Cancer Patients

Sarcopenia markedly increases the risk of major complications and lowers overall survival in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. An umbrella review of 63 studies reveals that 65% identify sarcopenia as a risk factor for severe postoperative issues, while 93% correlate it with diminished survival rates. With strong evidence backing these findings, addressing sarcopenia could be crucial in enhancing patient management and outcomes. Early identification may lead to vital therapeutic interventions that improve recovery and longevity.

Review by Ramírez-Giraldo C, Venegas-Sanabria LC (…) Isaza-Restrepo A et 3 al. in J Gastrointest Cancer

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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Robot-Assisted Hemihepatectomy Reduces Blood Loss, Conversion Rates

Robot-assisted hemihepatectomy outperforms laparoscopic techniques by significantly lowering intraoperative blood loss and reducing conversion to open surgery. An analysis of 1,113 patients revealed that while both approaches yielded similar operation times and complication rates, the robotic method exhibited distinct advantages. This comprehensive review consolidates findings from eight studies, bolstering the case for the robotic approach as a safe and effective alternative in hepatobiliary surgery.

Review by Song XH, Bai RL (…) Luo ZL et 2 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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ctDNA Monitoring Enhances Prognosis in Stage I-III Colon Cancer

ctDNA analysis predicts cancer recurrence and treatment efficacy in patients with resected stages I-III colon cancer. This large-scale, real-world study shows ctDNA positivity during the molecular residual disease (MRD) window correlates with significantly poorer disease-free survival (DFS). Patients who were ctDNA-positive at MRD and received adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) demonstrated improved DFS compared to those monitored post-surgery. Additionally, patients remaining ctDNA-positive or converting from negative to positive faced substantially worse outcomes.

Journal Article by Cohen SA, Aushev VN (…) Kopetz S et 42 al. in Ann Surg

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

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New Amylase Metric Predicts Pancreatic Fistulas Better

The “real amylase value” (RAV) significantly outperforms traditional drain amylase concentration in predicting postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) risk. An analysis of 198 patients revealed RAV’s area under the ROC curve reached 0.85 on postoperative day 1 and 0.89 on day 3, compared to 0.79 for classic measurement. Enhanced prediction lets surgeons optimize clinical management, refine drain removal timing, and target intervention strategies for high-risk patients, potentially improving recovery outcomes.

Journal Article by Emral AC, Çetinkaya G, Dikmen K and Kerem M in ANZ J Surg

© 2025 The Author(s). ANZ Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

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