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Machine learning effectively differentiates gallbladder polyp types.

A recent study demonstrated that a machine learning-based model significantly improves the differentiation between non-neoplastic and neoplastic gallbladder polyps. Analyzing data from 744 patients, the combined model achieved an AUC of 0.910, compared to lower scores from individual models, thus reducing unnecessary cholecystectomies. Notably, the polyp short diameter emerged as a critical predictor of neoplastic characteristics. This advancement offers a promising non-invasive tool in managing gallbladder polyps.

Journal Article by Dou M, Liu H (…) Zhang D et 7 al. in Eur J Surg Oncol

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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Minimally invasive liver surgery shows superior short-term outcomes

A Belgian registry of 1342 liver resections found that minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) was preferred in 51% of cases. MILS patients had better short-term outcomes compared to open surgery, including shorter surgery times, less blood loss, and lower complication rates. Notably, centers performing more than 50 resections annually exhibited significantly improved outcomes. MILS was most often utilized for benign indications and cirrhosis patients, indicating its growing suitability for selected surgeries.

Multicenter Study by Troisi RI, Rompianesi G (…) Lucidi V et 15 al. in Langenbecks Arch Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Neutrophil ratio predicts conservative treatment failure in cholecystitis

A higher neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (npar) significantly predicts conservative treatment failure in acute cholecystitis, with an optimal cutoff of 21.5 showing 88.8% sensitivity and 84.8% specificity. In a cohort of 508 patients, 21.1% experienced failed treatment, leading to interventions like emergency surgery and drainage. Npar outperformed other inflammatory markers in predictive accuracy. These findings highlight a 48-hour critical window for monitoring patient outcomes in various clinical settings.

Journal Article by Yodying H, Somtasana K and Toemakharathaworn K in BMC Surg

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Predictive model identifies risk factors for conversion in surgery

Conversion rates during minimally invasive left pancreatectomy (MILP) reached 15.6% in a study of 2,104 patients across 55 centers. Key risk factors included male sex, BMI over 25 kg/m², a history of laparotomy, initial pancreatitis, and larger tumor size. A conversion risk score (CRS) was developed based on these preoperative variables, allowing scores from 2% to 100% conversion risk. Conversion was linked to a significant increase in severe complications, enhancing surgical decision-making.

Journal Article by De Ponthaud C, Nassar A (…) Gaujoux S et 74 al. in Ann Surg

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

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Liver expert panels significantly improve treatment eligibility for patients.

An expert panel’s re-evaluation of colorectal liver metastases led to a notable increase in treatment eligibility. Initially, only 29% of patients were deemed resectable before systemic treatment, but this figure rose to 68% following multiple assessments. Alarmingly, nearly 29% of patients recognized as resectable were not referred for local treatment. This highlights the critical role of specialist panels in non-surgery centers to ensure that patients receive timely, potentially curative interventions amid inconsistencies in treatment evaluation.

Journal Article by Bond MJG, Verhoef C (…) Swijnenburg RJ et 15 al. in Eur J Surg Oncol

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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JCOG PC criteria validated for assessing postoperative complications

Analysis of 3006 patients across six clinical trials demonstrates that the Japan Clinical Oncology Group postoperative complication (JCOG PC) criteria show a high agreement with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). The median agreement was 99.5% for early complications and 99.4% for late complications, with all items exceeding 90% in agreement rates. This validation underscores the effectiveness of JCOG PC criteria in evaluating surgical complications.

Journal Article by Sato Y, Mizusawa J (…) Fukuda H et 13 al. in Eur J Surg Oncol

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

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Emergency department admissions reveal shifting patient demographics and diagnoses

Between 2019 and 2024, an urban state hospital’s emergency department saw a significant rise in myalgia cases, increasing from 5.01% to 10.29%. The study encompassed over 5 million patient visits, highlighting a notable decline in younger patients, with those aged 0 to 20 years dropping from 48.3% to 15.5%. During the pandemic, suspicious disease diagnoses rose to 24.42%. These findings underscore the need for strategic planning in emergency health services based on emerging trends.

Journal Article by Eriten S in Medicine (Baltimore)

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

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Updated guidelines enhance GERD diagnosis and management strategies

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’s updated guidelines provide an evidence-based framework for diagnosing and managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The recommendations cover endoscopic evaluations, lifestyle modifications, and treatment options, including proton pump inhibitors and innovative endoscopic therapies. Key changes include guidelines for patients with prior surgical procedures and emphasis on detailed endoscopic assessments. Additionally, the document emphasizes patient-centered care to improve management outcomes for those suffering from GERD.

Journal Article by None None, Desai M (…) Qumseya BJ et 22 al. in VideoGIE

© 2025 by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier, Inc.

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AI has transformative potential for surgical education.

Artificial intelligence could revolutionize surgical education by providing personalized feedback, improved competency evaluations, and enhanced candidate selection. AI-driven simulations foster adaptive learning among trainees, while intraoperative tools may assist surgeons in complex procedures. However, challenges such as data quality, ethical concerns, and the risk of overskilling need to be addressed. Developing regulatory frameworks emphasizing transparency and validation is crucial to ensure responsible AI integration, enhancing rather than replacing human expertise in surgical practice.

Editorial by Leon S, Lee S, Perez JE and Hashimoto DA in Am J Surg

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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A new prognostic tool improves outcomes in liver cancer patients

A novel prognostic tool, the Weighted Alpha-Fetoprotein Tumor Burden Score (WATS), has demonstrated enhanced predictive capabilities for hepatocellular carcinoma patients post-resection. In a study involving 772 patients, WATS outperformed existing staging systems, offering reliable assessments of progression-free survival and overall survival across various time frames. Its formula incorporates tumor number, size, and alpha-fetoprotein levels, providing a significant advancement in patient stratification and clinical management, as evidenced by excellent discrimination and calibration results.

Journal Article by Lu T, Xie K (…) Xu F et 5 al. in Eur J Surg Oncol

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

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