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Higher Attrition Rates in Placebo-Controlled Surgical Trials

Placebo-controlled surgical trials showed similar recruitment but significantly higher attrition compared to non-operative trials. Incorporating additional follow-up timepoints can reduce attrition rates in placebo-controlled studies. Researchers should consider strategies to mitigate dropout and loss to follow-up in surgical trials with placebo controls.

Journal Article by Natarajan P, Menounos S (…) Adie S et 7 al. in BMJ Open

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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Rectal Cancer Guidelines: Inconsistent Reporting Quality Raises Concerns about Transparency and Evidence Use

Clinical practice guidelines for rectal cancer vary in reporting quality, with unique weaknesses in basic information, evidence, recommendations, and review processes. Common themes include limited financial discussion and lack of transparency. Even with variability, current guidelines meet most checklist elements, highlighting the importance of high-quality reporting standards for expert guideline creation.

Journal Article by Cai M, Cotter RR, Wong SL and Mayo SW in J Surg Oncol

© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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Malpractice Claims Following Major Liver and Pancreatic Surgeries

General surgery is a highly litigious specialty, with most claims related to delays in diagnosis or surgical negligence. A study analyzing malpractice cases from the last two decades found that the majority named surgeons as defendants, with a higher likelihood of verdicts favoring defendants. Payouts to plaintiffs, though less common, were significant, highlighting the legal risks in major hepatic and pancreatic surgeries.

Journal Article by Zaman M, Li JH and Dhir M in J Surg Res

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies for obesity: ASGE-ESGE guideline

The joint American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy-European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE-ESGE) guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) in treating obesity. Using the GRADE framework, the guideline evaluates the efficacy and safety of EBMT devices and procedures with CE Mark or FDA clearance/approval. It recommends EBMTs plus lifestyle modification for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30 kg/m².

Practice Guideline by Jirapinyo P, Hadefi A (…) Sullivan S et 25 al. in Gastrointest Endosc

Copyright © 2024 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and by Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart on behalf of European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Hidden Port Site Incision for Robotic Foregut and Hepatopancreatobiliary Operation

Developed to minimize visible scars on the abdomen, the hidden port site incision technique at the pubic hairline offers a cosmetically superior approach for common foregut and hepatopancreatobiliary procedures. This technique maximizes cosmetic outcomes while maintaining clinical efficacy, especially beneficial for patients with poor healing or scarring tendencies.

Journal Article by Fefferman ML, Zheng C, Varsanik AM and Vigneswaran Y in J Am Coll Surg

Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Surgeons. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Predictors of Non-operative Treatment Failure in Patients with Acute Diverticulitis and Abscess

The study identified independent predictors of failure in non-operative treatment for patients with diverticular abscesses, highlighting the significant role of Hinchey classification, tobacco smoking, and abscess characteristics. Percutaneous drainage did not impact treatment success in larger abscesses. This underscores the need for targeted interventions in diverticular disease management, particularly for high-risk patient groups.

Journal Article by Podda M, Ceresoli M (…) Pisanu A et 33 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2024. The Author(s).

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Camrelizumab and Radiotherapy for Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Show Promise in First-Line Therapy

External radiotherapy plus camrelizumab as first-line therapy for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma demonstrated a 1-year progression-free survival rate of 44.4% and antitumor activity with low toxicity levels. The objective response rate was 61.1% and the disease control rate was 86.1%. Further investigation is warranted for this promising treatment approach.

Journal Article by Zhu M, Jin M (…) Peng Z et 7 al. in BMC Med

© 2024. The Author(s).

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Long-Term Mastery Learning Curve Analysis in Robotic Hepatectomies: A Decade of Experience

A decade-long analysis of 500 robotic hepatectomies reveals the learning curve to achieve long-term mastery. Cumulative sum chart analysis identified a significant minimum number of cases required to overcome the learning curve for minor, major, and technically challenging minor resections. This data can guide surgeons during early robotic hepatectomy experiences, enhancing patient safety and outcomes.

Journal Article by Dugan MM, Christodoulou M (…) Sucandy I et 3 al. in J Gastrointest Surg

Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Comparing Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator with Conventional Pancreatic Transection in Distal Pancreatectomy: The CUSA-1 Pilot Trial

The CUSA-1 pilot trial is a randomized controlled study comparing the use of the Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) with conventional pancreatic transection methods in open distal pancreatectomy. With 60 patients randomized, the trial aims to assess the safety and feasibility of CUSA, focusing on postoperative complications and the occurrence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) within 30 days. The findings will guide a future multicenter randomized trial.

Journal Article by Holze M, Loos M (…) Pianka F et 7 al. in BMJ Open

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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Surgeons demonstrate accuracy in predicting radiological sarcopenia in colorectal cancer surgery

Surgeons exhibited high accuracy in identifying radiological sarcopenia in patients with colorectal cancer, with substantial agreement with radiologists. Results showed strong correlations and favorable sensitivity and specificity levels for both junior and senior surgeons, particularly when using a simplistic criterion. The study suggests that the simplistic criterion is preferable over a composite criterion for predicting radiological sarcopenia in colorectal cancer surgery.

Journal Article by Gonçalves AFK, de Barros ABD (…) Leão CS et 5 al. in J Surg Oncol

© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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