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Social support may counteract socioeconomic barriers in trauma recovery

Strong social support significantly influences recovery outcomes for trauma patients, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Analysis of 1,243 participants revealed that adverse outcomes were more prevalent among individuals with low socioeconomic status and weaker support networks. Notably, higher rates of PTSD, chronic pain, and functional dependence were observed, but those with high social support exhibited outcomes similar to higher socioeconomic counterparts. The study emphasizes the potential of leveraging support networks to enhance recovery and lessen socioeconomic disparities.

Journal Article by Ilkhani S, Zogg CK (…) Anderson GA et 9 al. in Am J Surg

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Previous abdominal surgery impacts minimally invasive colorectal cancer resection.

A meta-analysis of 12 studies involving 11,528 colorectal cancer patients found that those with previous abdominal surgeries faced a higher likelihood of conversion to open surgery during minimally invasive procedures, with an odds ratio of 1.57. The prolonged recovery to the first flatus and increased risk of ileus after surgery were also noted. However, major and minor postoperative complications did not significantly differ. Researchers concluded that minimally invasive surgery remains a viable option for affected patients.

Review by Liu W, He F, Chen D and Zhang X in Eur J Surg Oncol

Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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Neoadjuvant therapy advances improve rectal cancer treatment outcomes

Advances in treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer emphasize personalized, risk-adapted strategies that enhance oncologic control while preserving functionality. These methodologies allow for tailored approaches based on individual risk factors. Total neoadjuvant therapy is becoming the standard for advanced cases, improving systemic control and compliance. Notably, response-based adaptations enable some patients to skip radiation or surgery altogether, highlighting the potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors in reducing treatment toxicity. Continuous research is needed to refine predictive biomarkers for optimal patient outcomes.

Review by Pakvisal N, Pappas L (…) Parikh A et 2 al. in J Clin Med

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Enhanced recovery protocols show variable adherence in emergency surgeries

A multicenter study involving 760 patients examined adherence to enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) in emergency general surgery (EGS). While adherence rates were high for active warming (97%) and postoperative nausea/vomiting prevention (92%), significant gaps were identified in invasive monitoring (35%) and minimally invasive surgery (26%). Postoperative outcomes revealed a 3% mortality rate and a 7-day median hospital stay, indicating the importance of improving compliance with ERPs, particularly for less-utilized components in high-risk surgical settings.

Journal Article by Ceresoli M, Fumagalli C (…) Braga M et 30 al. in Updates Surg

© 2025. Italian Society of Surgery (SIC).

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Linear stapled techniques reduce anastomotic leakage post-esophagectomy.

A study of 1,518 patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy identified significant differences in anastomotic leakage rates among various surgical techniques. The linear stapled side-to-side anastomosis had the lowest leakage rate at 14.0%, while the handsewn end-to-end method had the highest at 32.8%. Both univariable and multivariable analyses confirmed that handsewn techniques carried a higher risk of leakage compared to circular end-to-side techniques, suggesting a preference for mechanical stapling in clinical practice.

Journal Article by Milone M, Kooij CD (…) Ruurda JP et 37 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2025. The Author(s).

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High Efficiency Operating Rooms Enhance Surgical Performance and Reduce Costs

A high-efficiency (HE) operating room model significantly improved surgical efficiency in benign anorectal surgery, completing 6.9 cases per day compared to 5.2 cases in traditional settings. The HE model reduced average surgical time by 13 minutes and decreased overall costs by approximately $368 per case. Patient outcomes remained consistent across both models, suggesting that implementing HE protocols can optimize resource use while maintaining care quality, particularly in settings with limited resources.

Journal Article by Ricci AL, Patel S (…) Farooq A 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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Innovations in robotic surgical end-effectors enhance precision

Recent advancements in robotic surgical systems have markedly improved performance, particularly in force feedback accuracy and autonomous functionality. Innovative end-effector technologies include force sensing systems achieving 583 pm/v sensitivity, flexible actuators for precise tissue manipulation, and AI algorithms enabling autonomous suturing with 96% accuracy. Additionally, novel materials like self-healing polymers exhibit over 95% stress recovery. These developments promise to enhance surgical precision and adaptability, highlighting the future potential of minimally invasive procedures in modern medicine.

Review by Wang Y, Yu J, Li Z and Shen Y in Surg Endosc

© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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New model predicts pancreatic fistula risk after surgery

A predictive model for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (cr-popf) was developed, showing a 29.1% occurrence rate among trained patients. Utilizing postoperative day 5 C-reactive protein and drain fluid amylase levels, the model achieved area under the ROC curves of 0.787 and 0.750, respectively. This index, validated through additional cohorts, assists surgeons in assessing risk and determining safe early drain removal, enhancing postoperative care following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Journal Article by Yugawa K, Yamashita YI (…) Yoshizumi T et 5 al. in J Surg Res

Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Enhanced recovery programs benefit emergency abdominal surgery patients.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs significantly cut recovery time for emergency abdominal surgery patients, reducing median recovery from 163 hours to 141 hours. The program also accelerated gastrointestinal recovery, with first flatus occurring earlier at 1.10 days compared to 1.30 days. Patient satisfaction improved, with scores rising from 91 to 95. Importantly, ERAS did not increase complication or readmission rates, highlighting its safety and feasibility in diverse emergency contexts.

Journal Article by Lu J, Zhuang Y (…) Chen T et 6 al. in ANZ J Surg

© 2025 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

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New criteria differentiate resectable and borderline resectable ICC

A study involving 953 patients identified four tumor-related factors that predict poor prognosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC): lymph node metastasis, tumor size over 5 cm, multinodular lesions, and major vascular invasion. A point system categorized patients as resectable or borderline resectable, significantly impacting overall survival rates. Patients classified as borderline resectable had a median survival of 24.6 months, compared to 69.7 months for those deemed resectable. These criteria enable better preoperative risk stratification.

Journal Article by Kawashima J, Akabane M (…) Pawlik TM et 24 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2025. The Author(s).

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