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High poverty and digital divide correlate with clinical trial deserts

A significant portion of the U.S. population, approximately 40 million adults, resides in clinical trial (CT) deserts for gastrointestinal cancers, indicating a major accessibility issue. Areas identified as CT deserts are notably associated with higher area deprivation and digital divide indices. Multivariable analysis revealed that regions with elevated deprivation and digital divide scores had over double the odds of being designated CT deserts compared to more affluent areas. This data underscores the urgent need for equitable clinical trial access.

Journal Article by Chatzipanagiotou OP, Khalil M (…) Pawlik TM et 2 al. in Ann Surg

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

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Minimum lymph node count of 24 improves survival in gastric cancer

An international study involving 2,490 gastric cancer patients identifies a critical minimum of 24 retrieved lymph nodes post-neoadjuvant therapy for better staging and prognosis. This threshold correlates with improved overall and disease-specific survival rates, with 5-year survival significantly higher at 46.0% for those meeting or exceeding the threshold compared to lower counts. Enhanced predictive performance for survival outcomes further emphasizes the importance of adhering to this minimum retrieval standard in radical gastrectomy.

Journal Article by Zhang ZQ, Zhong Q (…) Xie JW et 12 al. in BMC Surg

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Pre-placed stents boost success of pancreatic enucleation

Pre-placement of pancreatic duct stents markedly improved enucleation success rates for benign tumors from 28.3% to 86.7%. This retrospective study, involving 148 patients, revealed that stent placement not only enhanced surgical outcomes but also reduced hospital stays, preserved pancreatic function, and improved quality of life. The findings advocate for incorporating stents in pancreatic enucleation procedures, although further prospective research is required to solidify these results.

Journal Article by Hu B, Yin Y (…) Liu W et 6 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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Effective emergency responses can save lives in critical situations

Essential protocols for emergency management of severe injuries include rapid assessment, triage, and control of external bleeding to prevent blood loss. Key steps also involve ensuring airway clearance, proper ventilation, and neck stabilization to minimize spinal injury. Additionally, healthcare professionals must administer intravenous fluids and medications, immobilize injuries, and facilitate swift transfers to specialized medical centers. Following these strategies enhances patient stability and continuity of care while effectively addressing life-threatening conditions.

Review by Čretnik A and Pfeifer R in Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Robotic surgery stakeholders converge on training and governance needs

A national survey reveals strong consensus among stakeholders on robotic surgery governance in Ireland. Key findings indicate overwhelming support for proctorship and mentorship for early-career surgeons, with 88.5% favoring internal proctors. Ninety-five percent advocate for robotic governance committees, while the importance of key performance indicators (KPIs) is underscored, with 93.1% agreeing on their significance at the unit level. This pioneering study highlights the imperative for national guidelines to enhance the practice of robotic surgery.

Journal Article by Croghan SM, Fleming CA (…) McGuire BB et 7 al. in J Robot Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Cancer vaccines show promise for treating cold tumors

Immunologically cold tumors pose challenges for effective cancer treatment due to low immune infiltration. Therapeutic cancer vaccines, which deliver high-quality tumor-specific antigens, are being investigated in various clinical contexts to boost immune responses and improve patient outcomes. Despite the potential, challenges in antigen selection, vaccine formulation, and optimal clinical applications persist. Combining vaccines with immune modulators such as checkpoint inhibitors may enhance efficacy, providing new avenues for addressing hard-to-treat cancers.

Review by Blair AB, Zheng L and Soares KC in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. The Author(s).

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New cut-off value enhances preoperative predictions for pancreatic fistula

A study involving 582 patients established and validated a cut-off value of 0.268 for the Roberts Score, demonstrating its effectiveness in predicting clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after Pancreaticoduodenectomy. The area under the curve (AUC) reached 0.768 in the exploratory cohort. Higher Roberts Scores were linked to longer ICU stays and drain removal times, establishing the score as an independent predictor for CR-POPF, thereby aiding in identifying high-risk patients.

Journal Article by Kaiser JD, Bräuherr F (…) Wittel UA et 4 al. in Am J Surg

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

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Laparoscopic ileostomy closure reduces complications and hospital stays.

Laparoscopic ileostomy reversal significantly decreases postoperative complications compared to open surgery, lowering overall complication rates (OR=0.40). It notably reduces risks of bowel obstruction and wound infection, while requiring longer operative time. However, it facilitates shorter hospital stays without increasing blood loss. An analysis of 867 cases across 11 studies indicates that both intracorporeal and extracorporeal laparoscopic techniques provide substantial clinical advantages, enhancing patient recovery and optimizing outcomes over traditional open methods.

Review by Zhang XQ, Tang RX (…) Ji GY et 5 al. in Int J Colorectal Dis

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Postoperative nausea and vomiting involve complex neural pathways

Evidence synthesized from various databases reveals that postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are prevalent complications following surgeries with anesthesia, causing significant discomfort. The review identifies intricate neural mechanisms and signaling pathways that contribute to PONV, emphasizing the interaction of multiple pathways rather than independent functions. Key structures such as the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal nucleus of the tenth nerve play pivotal roles in this integrated response, affecting both neural conduction and digestive system signaling.

Review by Zhang Z and Wang X in Eur J Med Res

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Prospective audit improves antibiotic prescribing compliance

A prospective audit of 655 surgical antibiotic prescriptions revealed that only 49% adhered to guidelines, with significant issues such as inappropriate selections and prolonged usage. Community-acquired infections constituted 89% of treatments. The audit highlighted a low antibiotic guideline compliance rate and identified reasons for non-compliance. Thus, addressing these areas is essential to enhance antibiotic stewardship efforts in the surgery department, ultimately safeguarding effective antibiotic use and improving patient safety.

Journal Article by Amusan RO, Oduyebo OO and Mofikoya BO in Niger J Clin Pract

Copyright © 2025 Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice.

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