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Unlocking the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery: Advanced Lipoprotein Improvement

A study on 52 obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery unveiled a promising shift in their lipoprotein profile, assessed through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Researchers discovered that bariatric surgery led to substantial improvements in patients’ advanced molecular lipoprotein profiles, effectively reducing cardiovascular risk factors. Notably, 20% of patients achieved normalized parameters. This research highlights the significant impact of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular risk reduction, emphasizing the value of advanced lipid profile assessments in assessing its impact.

Journal Article by Pérez Zapata AI, Varela Rodríguez C (…) Rodríguez Cuéllar E et 5 al. in Obes Surg

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

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Comparing Strategies for Crohn’s Disease Strictures: Endoscopy vs. Surgery

In the battle against Crohn’s disease-related strictures, researchers compared endotherapy (ET) and surgical therapy (ST) outcomes. The study, encompassing 59 patients with 12+ months of follow-up, showed a significantly higher re-intervention rate with ET. However, it also highlighted that re-operation could be avoided for most ET patients, with similar symptom-free survival at one year. This study unveils the pros and cons of both approaches, providing valuable insights into managing Crohn’s disease-related strictures.

Journal Article by Pal P, Gala J (…) Reddy DN et 10 al. in J Gastroenterol Hepatol

© 2023 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

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Disparities in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery: Minority Serving Hospitals Face Treatment Challenges

A study exploring the surgical treatment of resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma in minority serving hospitals (MSH) revealed significant disparities. Patients at MSH were less likely to undergo surgical resection, facing unique barriers, and leading to increased mortality among those who did. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve the care provided to pancreatic cancer patients at MSH facilities and reduce treatment inequalities.

Journal Article by Olecki EJ, Perez Holguin RA (…) Dixon MEB et 5 al. in J Surg Res

Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Malnutrition Negatively Impacts Post-Operative Outcomes in Crohn’s Disease Patients Undergoing Ileocecectomy

A nationwide study on Crohn’s disease patients undergoing elective ileocecectomy reveals the influence of malnutrition on post-operative outcomes. Of 1,464 patients, 22% were malnourished. Malnourished patients experienced more organ space surgical site infections (SSI), bleeding, longer hospital stays, and higher readmission rates compared to well-nourished counterparts. This study underscores the importance of assessing and optimizing nutritional status before elective surgery in Crohn’s patients to reduce complications and improve recovery.

Journal Article by Kodia K, Huerta CT (…) Paluvoi N et 4 al. in Am Surg

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General Surgery Residents’ Views on the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

General surgery residents’ perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine were explored through a survey. Among 31 participants, AI’s top applications were identified, with 24% favoring diagnostics and 12% supporting its role in identifying anatomical structures during surgeries. Residents expressed excitement about AI for repetitive tasks (70.97%) and believed it could enhance medical knowledge (67.74%). However, concerns (77.41%) were raised about AI making life decisions. The study revealed varying attitudes based on the intended application of AI and its familiarity among residents, highlighting both enthusiasm and apprehension about AI’s integration into healthcare.

Journal Article by St John A, Cooper L and Kavic SM in Am Surg

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Uncovering Barriers to Sustainable Practices in Operating Theatres

Operating theatres have a substantial environmental impact, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and waste. This systematic review, involving 8,286 participants, investigated factors influencing sustainability in operating theatres. Barriers were identified in domains like knowledge, environmental resources, social influences, and beliefs about consequences. The most common facilitator was intention. While there’s a desire to adopt sustainable practices, the study reveals the need to address these barriers, improve staff’s sustainability knowledge, and enact institutional changes to prioritize sustainability in healthcare settings.

Journal Article by Almukhtar A, Batcup C (…) Judah G et 5 al. in Int J Surg

Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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Personalized Approaches to T1 Colorectal Cancer Treatment

This study explored the optimal management of T1 colorectal cancers (CRCs) in the Western hemisphere. Analyzing a significant dataset from 2004 to 2018, including 28,430 T1 CRC patients, researchers compared endoscopic therapy (ET) and surgical resection (SR) outcomes. They found that ET was safe and effective for left-sided T1N0M0 colon cancers with tumors 2 cm or smaller and T1N0M0 rectal cancers with tumors 1 cm or smaller. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored treatment based on tumor size and location to avoid over- or under-use of ET.

Journal Article by Shi K, Yang Z and Leng K in Front Med (Lausanne)

Copyright © 2023 Shi, Yang and Leng.

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MRE Model Predicts Hepatic Decompensation in NAFLD Patients

A multicenter study harnessed Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) to create a prediction model for hepatic decompensation in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) patients. This model, which combines MRE data with clinical factors like age, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and platelets, demonstrated excellent accuracy in forecasting the risk of hepatic decompensation over 3- and 5-year periods. The MRE-based model outperformed the Fibrosis-4 model, offering a promising tool for risk assessment and management in NAFLD patients.

Journal Article by Kim BK, Bergstrom J (…) Ajmera V et 13 al. in Hepatology

Copyright © 2023 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

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Modified Rutgeerts Score Predicts Recurrence in Crohn’s Disease Patients

In a study involving 652 patients who underwent primary ileocecal resection for Crohn’s disease, the Modified Rutgeerts Score (MRS) proved to be a valuable predictor of long-term outcomes. Patients with higher MRS values were more likely to experience surgical and clinical recurrence, as well as progression to severe endoscopic recurrence. Specifically, an MRS of i2b or higher correlated with surgical recurrence, i1 or i2b with clinical recurrence, and i1 or i2b with progression to severe endoscopic recurrence. These findings emphasize the importance of closely monitoring disease activity and optimizing treatment strategies in Crohn’s patients.

Journal Article by Bak MTJ, Ten Bokkel Huinink S (…) de Vries AC et 11 al. in Am J Gastroenterol

Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Gastroenterology.

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Neoadjuvant Therapy Benefits Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Patients

In a study involving 3,413 patients with cT2N0M0 esophageal adenocarcinoma, researchers investigated the impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NT) on surgical outcomes and oncological benefits for those with clinical stage IIA disease. The study found that NT did not adversely affect perioperative outcomes compared to upfront surgery. Moreover, minimally invasive esophagectomy after NT was feasible, and NT was associated with improved survival, particularly in patients with larger tumors (>5 cm). This study suggests that NT is a valuable option for selected cT2N0M0 esophageal adenocarcinoma patients.

Journal Article by Rodriguez-Quintero JH, Kamel MK (…) Stiles BM et 4 al. in Ann Surg Oncol

© 2023. Society of Surgical Oncology.

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