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Radiologic-pathologic discordance significantly impacts HCC survival rates

In a nationwide cohort study, researchers found that discrepancies between radiologic findings and pathological evaluations in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing resection are linked to worse survival outcomes. Specifically, discordance in more than two factors notably increased the hazard ratio to 3.251. Factors like lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion were also significant independent predictors of survival. This highlights the necessity for accurate preoperative evaluations to enhance treatment strategies and improve patient prognosis.

Journal Article by Rou WS, Jeon HJ (…) Lee BS et 13 al. in Gut Liver

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Sarcopenia and frailty predict poor outcomes after emergency surgery

A study involving 101 patients over 55 years undergoing emergency laparotomy revealed that sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and frailty are critical in predicting adverse outcomes. Notably, low grip strength and positive sarc-f questionnaire scores significantly associated with increased rehabilitation admission risk and likelihood of not returning home. Frailty was linked to fewer days alive outside the hospital at 90 days. The findings suggest the importance of muscle strength assessment in clinical settings over muscle mass measurements.

Observational Study by Park B, Vandal A (…) MacCormick AD et 6 al. in BJS Open

© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Foundation Ltd.

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EUS-guided drainage proves effective for complicated diverticulitis

EUS-guided pelvic abscess drainage (EUS-PAD) using lumen-apposing metal stents demonstrates high efficacy and safety in managing complicated acute diverticulitis. In a study involving 53 patients, the procedure achieved a technical success rate of 92.5% and a clinical success rate of 88.7%. Adverse events were minimal, occurring in 3.8% of cases, with no procedure-related mortalities. EUS-PAD emerges as a promising alternative when conventional drainage fails, potentially reducing urgent surgical interventions.

Journal Article by Lisotti A, D’Errico F (…) Donatelli G et 8 al. in Gastrointest Endosc

Copyright © 2025 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Next-generation sequencing enhances management of pancreatic cysts

Incorporating next-generation sequencing (NGS) into the management of pancreatic cysts improved diagnostic precision and surgical decision-making. In a retrospective study of 441 patients, NGS revealed high-risk mutations in 55.3% of those with unclear cyst types, guiding management changes for 26.1% of patients. Specifically, NGS demonstrated a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 97.8% in predicting advanced neoplasia, solidifying its role as a vital tool in managing pancreatic lesions.

Journal Article by Jones AR, Bardhi O (…) Sawas T et 11 al. in Gastrointest Endosc

Copyright © 2025 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Bariatric surgery enhances survival and is cost-effective for cirrhosis patients.

Bariatric surgery significantly improves survival outcomes among patients with obesity and cirrhosis, showing observed survival of 9.09 years compared to 8.23 years for lifestyle interventions. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were $18,679 for sleeve gastrectomy and $44,704 for gastric bypass in cirrhosis cohorts, proving cost-effective when compared to a $100,000 willingness-to-pay threshold for quality-adjusted life years. Researchers advocate for the broader adoption of bariatric surgery in this patient population to enhance health outcomes and reduce costs.

Journal Article by Bansal S, Bader A, Mahmud N and Kaplan DE in JAMA Surg

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Women and racial minorities face higher mortality in necrotizing fasciitis

Analysis of nearly 119,000 necrotizing fasciitis patients revealed women and certain racial minorities faced significantly higher in-hospital mortality than white counterparts. Women were 18% more likely to die, while Asian and Hispanic patients also showed increased mortality risks. Additionally, these groups experienced longer hospital stays and substantially higher costs, with Asian patients averaging $17,596 more than whites. There’s an urgent need for health policy initiatives to address these disparities in treatment and outcomes.

Journal Article by Nadeem MA, Quazi MA (…) Sheikh AB et 7 al. in Am J Surg

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Whole-body CT becomes vital for diagnosing severe injuries.

A systematic review identified imaging strategies for patients with multiple or severe injuries, highlighting the importance of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT). Among 21 studies involving over 55,000 patients, extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma was recommended alongside WBCT as essential diagnostic tools. Modifications were made to existing recommendations, achieving strong consensus among experts regarding their application. These findings stress prompt and appropriate imaging procedures to enhance patient care in emergency settings.

Systematic Review by Huber-Wagner S, Braunschweig R (…) Schoeneberg C et 9 al. in Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Faecal immunochemical test screening matches colonoscopy in safety

A pragmatic trial involving 57,404 individuals revealed that faecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening is non-inferior to colonoscopy in reducing colorectal cancer mortality over 10 years. Participation rates were higher for FIT at 39.9% compared to colonoscopy’s 31.8%. The colorectal cancer mortality risk was nearly identical between the two groups, suggesting that a FIT-based screening program is an effective alternative to colonoscopy, potentially increasing screening participation among the average-risk population.

Journal Article by Castells A, Quintero E (…) de la Vega M et 20 al. in Lancet

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

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Adverse events during colorectal ESD increase with age.

A nationwide study in Japan reveals that the risk of adverse events (AEs) during colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) escalates significantly in older adults, particularly those aged 85 and above. Among 143,925 patients, AEs were recorded at 5.3% for ages 60-64, rising to 9.2% for those over 90. The analysis highlighted significant post-operative bleeding as the predominant complication, with anticoagulant use and high body mass index (≥30) identified as critical risk factors.

Journal Article by Ichita C, Goto T (…) Shimizu S et 2 al. in Am J Gastroenterol

Copyright © 2025 by The American College of Gastroenterology.

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PGA-wrapping reduces complications in minimally invasive left pancreatectomy

A study involving 148 patients demonstrated that polyglycolic acid (PGA) mesh wrapping significantly reduces the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after minimally invasive left pancreatectomy. The PGA group showed a 20% CR-POPF rate compared to 44% in the control group (p = 0.024). Additionally, patients with PGA wrapping experienced shorter drain removal times and hospital stays, indicating enhanced recovery without increased morbidity. PGA wrapping is thus an effective protective measure against CR-POPF.

Journal Article by Baba H, Oba A (…) Takahashi Y et 10 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. Society of Surgical Oncology.

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