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Microwave Ablation Shows High Efficacy for Liver Tumors

Surgical microwave ablation (MWA) proves to be a robust treatment for diverse liver tumors, with a low readmission rate of 6.5%. Analyzing 3,035 tumors across 1,416 patients over 16 years, median overall survival reached 3.9 years, varying by tumor type, while median recurrence-free survival stood at 2.2 years. Notably, MWA’s outcomes match or exceed those of traditional therapies, underscoring its potential for widespread clinical adoption in managing hepatic malignancies.

Journal Article by Wells AB, Butano VW (…) Iannitti DA et 7 al. in J Gastrointest Surg

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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AI Boosts Accuracy in Thyroid Neoplasm Diagnoses

A novel deep learning model significantly enhances the preoperative diagnosis of follicular-patterned thyroid neoplasms (FNs) using routine ultrasound images. In extensive multicenter validation, the model achieved an impressive AUC of 0.937 for internal and 0.853 for external cohorts. Moreover, it demonstrated high accuracy (90.9% and 82.8%) and sensitivity (93.9% and 84.5%), streamlining clinical decision-making and minimizing unnecessary treatments. This development marks a pivotal shift towards more precise, non-invasive thyroid diagnostics.

Journal Article by Shen H, Pei S (…) Zhang B et 23 al. in EClinicalMedicine

© 2025 The Authors.

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New Device Cuts Inflammation and Operation Time in Gastrectomy

The synchroseal device outperformed conventional ultrasonic shears in robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, significantly reducing postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and serum amylase, alongside shorter operation times. In a study of 25 patients using synchroseal, these markers indicated reduced inflammation. While fewer lymph nodes (LNs) were retrieved, both methods achieved adequate dissection. The findings suggest synchroseal may enhance patient recovery through improved inflammation control and efficiency.

Journal Article by Park JH, Kim J (…) Yang HK et 4 al. in Updates Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Low Phosphate Levels Heighten Complications Post-Pancreatic Surgery

Postoperative hypophosphatemia affects a significant 77.9% of pancreaticoduodenectomy patients, correlating with a 66.3% complication rate. The lowest phosphate levels occur on day three post-surgery, linking diminished phosphate to complications like pancreaticojejunostomy leakage. Those with complications show hypophosphatemia at a striking 82.5%. Monitoring and managing phosphate levels could mitigate risks and enhance recovery outcomes.

Observational Study by Aksoy E, Güven A (…) Bostanci EB et 4 al. in Medicine (Baltimore)

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

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Preoperative Optimization Boosts Long-Term Health Post-Surgery

Preoperative optimization significantly improves long-term glucose control and smoking cessation for patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction. Among 51 optimized diabetic patients, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) dropped from 8.5 to 6.5 after a 10.6-month preoptimization period. Post-surgery, 63.2% maintained HbA1c ≤ 7.2. For smoking patients, 58.6% maintained cessation at an average follow-up of 28 months. These findings underscore the lasting impact of surgical practice on patient health outcomes.

Journal Article by Holland AM, Wiley AJ (…) Heniford BT et 9 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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Robotic Cholecystectomy Proves Safe for High-Risk Patients

Robotic cholecystectomy demonstrates safety and efficacy across various gallbladder pathologies in high-comorbidity patients, both elective and emergent. An analysis of 218 cases at a tertiary care facility from June 2020 to October 2023 revealed a 30-day complication rate of just 7.3%, with no bile duct injuries reported. Postoperative issues were primarily related to sickle cell crises and infections. Results bolster the case for robotic surgery in high-risk settings, addressing a growing surgical need.

Journal Article by Crehan S, Ahmed MA and Morin N in J Robot Surg

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

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Indocyanine Green Enhances Safety in Complex Liver Surgery

Anatomical segmentectomy of the liver using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging significantly improves outcomes in cases of iatrogenic bile duct injury and recurrent cholangitis. A 46-year-old patient underwent surgical resection with ICG aiding in precise tissue identification and visualization, resulting in a successful procedure without bile leaks. Enhanced imaging of atrophic regions and abnormal biliary drainage solidifies ICG’s role in liver surgery from preoperative to postoperative phases, streamlining the surgical process and increasing patient safety.

Journal Article by Huerta M, Tanaka R and Ishizawa T in Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol

Copyright © 2025 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Machine Learning Nomogram Predicts Laparoscopic Surgery Difficulty

A novel machine learning-based nomogram accurately predicts the surgical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in gallstone patients. By analyzing 362 cases, the model integrated critical clinical and inflammatory indicators, achieving an impressive AUC of 0.863 in the validation set. This predictive capability enhances surgical planning and optimizes patient outcomes, encouraging a shift toward data-driven decision-making in preoperative assessments.

Journal Article by Huang K, Jia S (…) Bai D et 2 al. in Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol

Copyright © 2025 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Preventing Pneumonia and Leaks Could Save Lives in Surgery

Postoperative complications significantly hinder recovery in oesophageal cancer surgeries. Pneumonia emerges as the top threat to survival, potentially leading to an 8.3% reduction in mortality if avoided. Anastomotic leaks drive reoperations and extended hospital stays, with impacts of 39.8% and 56.9%, respectively. Respiratory failure dominates 90-day mortality risks at 53.5%. Remarkably, long-term quality of life remains unaffected by these complications, highlighting opportunities for improving surgical outcomes through targeted prevention strategies.

Journal Article by Crnovrsanin N, Giring S (…) Nienhüser H et 7 al. in BJS Open

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

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Tailored Antibiotic Prophylaxis Cuts Surgical Site Infections

An antimicrobial stewardship program tailored for pancreatic surgery significantly reduced surgical site infections (SSIs) linked to colonized bile. In a study of 1,638 pancreatoduodenectomies, the program cut overall SSI rates by 34% and superficial SSI rates by 59%. Importantly, the predictive value of intraoperative bile culture for SSIs diminished post-implementation, underscoring the efficacy of personalized surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in managing colonization.

Journal Article by De Pastena M, Paiella S (…) Salvia R et 5 al. in Ann Surg

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

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