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Transanal TME shows equivalent disease-free survival compared to laparoscopic TME.

In a study involving 1,115 patients with mid-low rectal cancer, transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) demonstrated a 3-year disease-free survival rate of 82.1%, while laparoscopic TME showed 79.4%, indicating noninferiority. The local recurrence rates were 3.6% and 4.4%, respectively. Additionally, overall survival rates were 92.6% for transanal TME and 90.7% for laparoscopic TME. These findings validate transanal TME as an effective surgical option in this cancer group.

Journal Article by Zeng Z, Luo S (…) Kang L et 27 al. in JAMA

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Outcomes of Pelvic Pouch Procedure Highlight Risks and Survival Rates

Over a 40-year analysis involving 5,070 patients, significant differences in pouch survival rates were observed among various diagnoses. Ulcerative colitis (UC) had a 20-year survival rate of 92%, while Crohn’s disease (CD) was lower at 87%. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) exhibited the best outcomes, with a 95% survival rate and fewer complications. However, those with inflammatory bowel disease faced higher risks, including pouchitis and strictures, revealing critical long-term implications for patient care.

Journal Article by Lavryk O, Maspero M (…) Hull TL et 7 al. in J Gastrointest Surg

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer incidence continues to rise.

Between 1990 and 2021, gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (GBTC) saw a substantial increase, with new cases rising by 101.09% and deaths by 74.26%. In 2021, there were approximately 216,768 new cases and 171,961 deaths globally, predominantly affecting females and older adults. Although age-standardized incidence and death rates have trended downward over the years, projections indicate a steady rise in raw numbers through 2045. Effective strategies aimed at major risk factors are urgently needed.

Journal Article by Liu C, Du S (…) Yu J et 3 al. in J Gastrointest Surg

Copyright © 2025 Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Preoperative ctDNA status predicts recurrence risk in esophageal cancer

Preoperative circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis shows significant prognostic value in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Among 25 patients, those with ctDNA detected post-treatment faced a recurrence-free survival rate of only 8% at 36 months, compared to 92% for ctDNA-negative patients (p < 0.001). These findings highlight ctDNA as a potential biomarker to tailor treatment strategies for improved outcomes in ESCC management.

Journal Article by Kobayashi R, Matsuda S (…) Kitagawa Y et 10 al. in Eur J Surg Oncol

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

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Significant research waste identified in gastroesophageal trials

Over the past 20 years, an analysis of 182 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernia highlighted that over 86.7% exhibited significant research waste. The majority of trials were drug-related, primarily conducted in North America and Asia, with deficiencies found in various aspects such as reporting adequacy and design flaws. This study is the first to quantify RCT shortcomings across continents, revealing trends that could guide the development of more effective trials.

Journal Article by Lin B, Guo XJ (…) Lin JX et 8 al. in Int J Surg

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

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Necrosis extent and QNI classification predict step-up needs.

A study of seventy patients undergoing EUS-guided drainage revealed that 35.7% required step-up procedures, mainly endoscopic necrosectomy. Independent predictors included necrosis ≥60% and classification in the high-risk Quadrant Necrosis Infection (QNI) group. Clinical success was high, at 92.9%, with those in the high-risk group experiencing longer hospital stays. EUS evaluations showed a tendency to overestimate necrosis compared to preprocedural radiology, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment approaches in managing peripancreatic fluid collections.

Journal Article by Vanella G, Leone R (…) Arcidiacono PG et 12 al. in Gastrointest Endosc

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

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Preoperative tumor markers predict surgical outcomes in peritoneal metastases

Clustering preoperative tumor marker patterns aids in predicting surgical outcomes for patients with peritoneal metastases. Among 138 with pseudomyxoma peritonei (pMP), two distinct clusters emerged—pMP cluster-1 had a 5-year overall survival rate of 77%, while pMP cluster-2 faced a significantly poorer prognosis of 36%. A similar pattern was observed in 213 colorectal peritoneal metastases patients, with colorectal cluster-1 showing a 28% survival rate. Elevated markers indicated higher open-close surgery risks.

Journal Article by Enblad M, Cashin P, Ghanipour L and Graf W in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. The Author(s).

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Predictive model identifies factors for ERCP post-cholecystectomy

A machine learning-based predictive model has been developed to estimate the incidence of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Analyzing data from 8,854 patients, the model revealed a postoperative ERCP incidence of 5.7% in training and 6.4% in testing datasets. The gradient-boosting decision tree model excelled, with common bile duct dilatation, serum albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase as significant predictors. This approach addresses critical challenges in managing post-operative biliary complications.

Journal Article by Akabane S, Iwagami M (…) Bhandari M 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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Prehabilitation improves postoperative outcomes for digestive cancer patients.

A meta-analysis of 20 studies involving 1,719 patients revealed that exercise-based prehabilitation significantly reduced overall postoperative complications with a risk ratio of 0.74. While it did not shorten hospital stays, prehabilitation improved the six-minute walk distance preoperatively and maintained benefits at four weeks post-surgery. High acceptance (61%) and completion rates (90%) indicate strong patient engagement in prehabilitation, although the long-term effects remain unclear due to insufficient follow-up data.

Systematic Review by Xu S, Yin R (…) Xu Q et 4 al. in BMC Gastroenterol

© 2025. The Author(s).

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3D surgical videos enhance student preparedness despite lower knowledge retention.

A randomized controlled trial with 231 medical students found that while 3D immersive videos led to lower immediate knowledge retention compared to 2D videos, they significantly improved expected preparedness, satisfaction, and self-confidence after one month. Participants using 3D video reported feeling more engaged, better able to identify anatomical structures, and less overwhelmed. These findings suggest immersive video technology could enhance surgical education during limited access to operating room experiences, although further studies are needed to assess its educational value.

Comparative Study by Favier A, Jaafar E (…) Canlorbe G et 3 al. in Int J Surg

Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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