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A Mental Fitness Pilot for Academic Surgeons

In a pioneering initiative, academic surgeons underwent a six-week Positive Intelligence (PQ) training program, aiming to uplift mental fitness and well-being. Results from 15 participants showed significant PQ score improvements (59 to 65), endorsing the program’s impact. High users reported ongoing benefits, fostering a supportive community. While sleep and well-being metrics didn’t significantly shift, the study outlines a promising path for structured mental fitness programs, emphasizing the need for broader evaluations and potential implications on patient outcomes.

Journal Article by Bhat SG, Nagaraj M (…) Levi B et 6 al. in J Surg Res

Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Breaking Tradition: Bowel Preparations Questioned in Colo-Rectal Surgeries

In a retrospective dive into 1237 elective colo-rectal surgeries spanning 2008 to 2021, researchers challenged the long-standing use of mechanical bowel preparations (MBPs). No significant differences emerged between patients with MBPs, oral antibiotics, or no preparation, calling into question the routine use of MBPs in these surgeries. This study urges a rethink of the standard-of-care status for MBPs, echoing a shift away from convention in elective colo-rectal procedures.

Journal Article by Leitz-Najarian G and Najarian M in Am Surg

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Melding Ancient Wisdom with Modern Medicine: Navigating Uncertainty in Transplants

To advance solid organ transplantation, the integration of personalized medicine is paramount. Beyond enhanced risk assessment and diagnostics, there’s a pressing need for targeted therapies and predictive markers. The study advocates a paradigm shift, urging clinicians to embrace uncertainty and probabilistic reasoning. Crucially, effective communication about inherent uncertainties is vital for both healthcare professionals and patients. The study underscores the necessity for a global consensus, emphasizing the collaborative spirit needed to navigate uncertainties in the era of personalized medicine.

Journal Article by Naesens M in Transpl Int

Copyright © 2023 Naesens.

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High Stakes for Cirrhotic Patients: Risks Post Emergency Appendicectomy

In England, a cohort study on emergency appendicectomy reveals stark realities for cirrhotic patients. Among 40,353 cases, 75 had cirrhosis, facing a threefold increase in 90-day mortality compared to non-cirrhotic counterparts. Notably older with more comorbidities, cirrhotic patients had prolonged hospital stays (4 vs. 3 days) and higher readmission rates (20% vs. 11%). The 90-day case fatality rate was 6.67%, emphasizing the heightened odds of death, signaling critical implications for cirrhotic individuals undergoing emergency appendicectomy.

Journal Article by Adiamah A, Rashid A (…) Humes DJ et 4 al. in Langenbecks Arch Surg

© 2023. The Author(s).

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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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