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Navigating Robotic Surgery Skill Assessment: A Systematic Review

In the ever-evolving realm of robotic surgery, researchers conducted a systematic review to pinpoint reliable tools for assessing surgeons’ technical skills. Among 247 studies, global rating scales and the da Vinci Skills Simulator took the lead. However, scrutiny revealed a lack of robust validation for both manual and automated assessment tools. The verdict: before entering accreditation processes, further validation and evaluation are crucial, ensuring precision in assessing surgeons’ robotic prowess for optimal patient safety and outcomes.

Journal Article by Boal MWE, Anastasiou D (…) Francis NK et 8 al. in Br J Surg

© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Society Ltd.
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of BJS Society Ltd.

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Palliative Care’s Impact on Pancreatic Cancer: Costs Down, Outcomes Up

Researchers delved into the impact of inpatient palliative care consultation (PCC) for pancreatic cancer, revealing a game-changer. Among 175,805 patients, PCC correlated with decreased costs, shorter cumulative hospital stays, and reduced 30-day readmissions. Despite a slight uptick in PCC utilization from 2016 to 2020, the study underscores the need for heightened practitioner awareness and strategies to maximize PCC referrals. In essence, integrating palliative care early on proves a win-win, improving outcomes while easing the financial burden.

Journal Article by Kim S, Chervu N (…) Donahue T et 5 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2023. Society of Surgical Oncology.

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Swallowing Woes Post-Thyroid Surgery: A Senior’s Struggle

Unveiling the scoop on older adults, researchers spill the tea on dysphagia after thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Surveying 175 patients, aged 65 on average, they found 77.7% reported pre-op swallowing troubles, 22.4% more in frail folks. Post-op, 43.4% and 49.1% faced worse scores at 3 and 6 months. Pre-op dysphagia meant a 3.07-fold risk of post-op struggles. Age, sex, and other factors played no role—just a bummer for seniors battling lingering swallowing issues.

Journal Article by Crepeau PK, Sutton W (…) Mathur A et 7 al. in BMC Surg

Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Adrenal Cancer Secrets: Mixed Hormonal Tumors Spell Trouble

In a hip multicenter study, researchers spilled the tea on adrenal cancer secrets. Analyzing 807 patients, they unveiled that mixed cortisol/androgen-secreting adrenal tumors play hard on survival, with worse overall survival compared to solo cortisol or androgen secrets. Notably, after a clean R0 surgery, the secretory subtype didn’t sway overall survival. Cortisol-secreting tumors spilled more drama, showing worse disease-free survival. Ki67%, a cellular diva, stood out as a reliable predictor, holding its own regardless of the cancer stage.

Journal Article by Sada A, Foster TR (…) McKenzie TJ et 19 al. in BMC Surg

Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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High-Volume Parathyroid Surgeons: A Dearth in Accessibility

The hunt for equitable healthcare takes center stage as researchers uncover disparities in access to high-volume parathyroid surgeons in the US. Analysis of 2019 Medicare data reveals a skewed distribution, with 445 identified surgeons mostly concentrated in metropolitan areas. Shockingly, disadvantaged neighborhoods face longer distances to these specialists, potentially impacting treatment outcomes for hyperparathyroidism patients. The call to action echoes: bridge the accessibility gap by regionalizing high-volume services and alleviating travel burdens, ensuring healthcare reaches all corners.

Journal Article by Wright K, Squires S (…) Seib CD et 4 al. in BMC Surg

Published by Elsevier Inc.

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SAGES/AHPBA Guidelines for Microwave and Radiofrequency Liver Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma or Colorectal Liver Metastases Under 5 cm

In the liver cancer maze, SAGES/AHPBA experts wielded microwaves and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to guide decisions for tumors under 5 cm. Assessing outcomes and techniques, they found evidence somewhat shaky but suggested both microwave (MWA) and RFA are viable for selected patients, with laparoscopic MWA having higher risks but similar survival. However, caution blinked in grouping hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal metastases, signaling a need for careful patient consideration in this tech-driven liver tumor dance.

Journal Article by Ceppa EP, Collings AT (…) Alseidi A et 27 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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Unmasking Esophageal Cancer: V’ and U’ Variables Shine Bright

Researchers unveil a tech-savvy twist to esophageal cancer diagnosis, sidelining the subjective pink-color sign’s (PCS) hiccups. Testing the V’ variable solo, results hit 73.91% sensitivity, lagging behind human eyes. But, combining V’ and U’ variables steps up the game, matching seasoned endoscopists with 86.30% accuracy. The modified V’ + U’ method proves a reliable diagnostic ally, hinting at a tech-driven future in clinical decisions for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Journal Article by Liu K, Bai J (…) Liu Z et 7 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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Revolutionizing Liver Resection: Ultrasound-Guided Compression Takes the Lead

Researchers bring a game-changer to minimal access liver surgery (MALS) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Testing the waters with laparoscopic and robotic ultrasound-guided compression anatomical resection (C-AR), they aced it with 10 patients—no post-op hiccups. This technique, known in open surgery, now waltzes into MALS, promising a bright future for HCC patients. Stay tuned for more data on its dance moves in complex minimal access resections.

Journal Article by Procopio F, Branciforte B (…) Torzilli G et 4 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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No Weekend Woes: Discharging Patients After Pancreatic Surgery on Weekends Doesn’t Raise Readmission Rates

Discharging patients on weekends following pancreatic surgery, a practice previously linked to increased mortality, was found to have no significant impact on the 30-day readmission rate. The study, encompassing 2,042 patients, revealed similar readmission rates between weekend and weekday discharges, suggesting that with careful clinical decision-making, weekend discharges after pancreatic surgery can be done safely without elevating the risk of readmission.

Journal Article by Kim RC, Schick SE (…) Schmidt CM et 7 al. in J Gastrointest Surg

© 2023. The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.

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Immigrant Doctors in the US and Their Vital Role in Healthcare

In a study covering 97.8 million respondents, 0.12% identified as doctors. Among them, 72.4% were citizens by birth, with naturalized citizens working more hours annually. Immigrant doctors, particularly those naturalized for over 10 years, were more likely to serve in socially vulnerable and densely populated areas. The findings underscore the crucial role of immigrant doctors in addressing US healthcare needs, emphasizing the need for policies promoting their integration to ensure a sustainable healthcare workforce.

Journal Article by Moazzam Z, Woldesenbet S (…) Pawlik TM et 5 al. in J Gastrointest Surg

© 2023. The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.

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