Combined Diffusion-Weighted and Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI Can Accurately Predict the Peritoneal Cancer Index Preoperatively in Patients Being Considered for Cytoreductive Surgical Procedures

Purpose  

To determine whether abdominal and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion-weighted and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced imaging can be used to accurately calculate the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) before surgery compared to the PCI tabulated at surgery.     

A Series of Laparoscopic Liver Resections with or without HALS in Patients with Hepatic Tumors

Background  

Differences were compared between laparoscopic surgery with and without hand-assisted laparoscopic technique (HALS) in order to assess whether HALS is a safe and feasible alternative to laparotomy and to determine what factors contributed to successful laparoscopic liver surgery.     

Single-Institution Series of Early-Stage Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Outcomes in 95 Patients Managed with Surgery Alone

Aim  

To determine the long-term outcomes of early-stage Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients managed with surgery alone.     

Vaginal hysterectomy and risk of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence surgery

Introduction and hypothesis  

This study aims to determine the risk of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery related to mode of hysterectomy focusing on vaginal hysterectomy.     

New dog, new tricks: trends in performance on the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery simulator for incoming surgery residents

Background  

Exposure to laparoscopic surgery during medical school has increased over recent years. The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) simulator allows for objective assessment of laparoscopic skills. This study aimed to determine whether the fundamental laparoscopic skills of incoming surgery residents have improved.     

Can sex survive pelvic floor surgery?

Introduction/hypothesis  

Sexual function in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is adversely affected, but data reporting sexual function following surgery are limited. We aimed to determine effect of pelvic reconstructive surgery on sexual function and to evaluate effect of additional continence procedures.     

Papillary Lesions Initially Diagnosed at Ultrasound-guided Vacuum-assisted Breast Biopsy: Rate of Malignancy Based on Subsequent Surgical Excision

Purpose  

To prospectively determine the rate of malignancy after surgery in papillary lesions initially diagnosed at ultrasound (US)-guided 11-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsies.     

No advantage is gained by preoperative bowel preparation in radical cystectomy and ileal conduit: a randomized controlled trial of 86 patients

Objective  

Bowel preparation (BP) is performed routinely before intestinal surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative infectious complications. We studied the effect of BP on patients who underwent radical cystectomy and ileal conduit surgery. Our goal was to determine whether BP in these patients provided any benefits postoperatively.     

Adoption of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) strategies for colorectal surgery at academic teaching hospitals and impact on total length of hospital stay

Objective  

The objective of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs is to incorporate strategies into the perioperative care plan to decrease complications, hasten recovery, and shorten hospital stay. This study was designed to determine which ERAS strategies contribute to overall shortened length of hospital stay in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in hospitals.     

The Long-Term Risk of Venous Thromboembolism Following Bariatric Surgery

Background  

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following bariatric surgery. The exact duration and magnitude of post-surgery risk for VTE, however, is unclear. We analyzed a large administrative database to determine the long-term risk and predictors for VTE in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.     

The impact of proton-pump inhibitors on intraperitoneal sepsis: a word of caution for transgastric NOTES procedures

Background  

During transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), there is an iatrogenic perforation of the gastric wall with leakage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) and alterations of gastric pH on infection during transgastric surgery.     

Intermediate and high peri-operative cardiac enzyme release following isolated coronary artery bypass surgery are independently associated with higher one-year mortality

Background  

The relationship between cardiac enzyme (CE) release following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and medium term outcome is unclear. We sought to determine the relationship between post-operative CE release and one-year survival following isolated CABG.     

Early surgeon impressions and technical difficulty associated with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery: a Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons Learning Center study

Background  

Interest in laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is growing rapidly among surgeons. This study aimed to characterize current surgeon impressions about LESS and to determine the relative difficulty of performing a simulated LESS task using a multiport access device.     

The relation between zoledronic acid infusion and interbody fusion in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery

Background  

Zoledronic acid (ZOL) has been shown to significantly increase bone mineral density and to decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. However, its safety when used after lumbar interbody fusion surgery remains unclear. We sought to determine whether ZOL infusion 3 days after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) affects the risk of nonunion.     

Intraoperative continuous monitoring of evoked facial nerve electromyograms in acoustic neuroma surgery

Background  

Preservation of facial nerve function is one of the most important goals in acoustic neuroma surgery. We have been using intraoperative continuous monitoring of evoked facial nerve electromyograms (EMGs) since 1997 in acoustic neuroma surgery. We therefore investigated surgically treated patients to clarify the usefulness of this monitoring, and to determine safety criteria for preserving facial nerve function.     

Sensitivity of axillary specimen x-ray to predict nodal count and positivity

Background  

The number of examined axillary lymph nodes (ALN) has been proposed as an indicator of prognosis along with quality and adequacy in breast cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of imaging axillary specimens with x-ray (lymphogram) to determine the number of lymph nodes. We sought to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a lymphogram in identifying nodal positivity.     

Microstructure and biomechanical characteristics of bone substitutes for trauma and orthopaedic surgery

Background  

Many (artificial) bone substitute materials are currently available for use in orthopaedic trauma surgery. Objective data on their biological and biomechanical characteristics, which determine their clinical application, is mostly lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate structural and in vitro mechanical properties of nine bone substitute cements registered for use in orthopaedic trauma surgery in the Netherlands.     

Closed Abdomen Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy with Irinotecan and Mitomycin C: a Phase I Study

Purpose  

Cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is now a recognized treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). The objective of this phase I study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose of irinotecan (CPT-11) when used with mitomycin C (MMC) for closed abdomen HIPEC.     

Control of Postoperative Pain with a Wearable Continuously Operating Pulsed Radiofrequency Energy Device: A Preliminary Study

Background  

Pulsed radiofrequency energy (PRFE) has long been reported to have a therapeutic effect on postoperative pain. In this study, a portable, wearable, low-energy-emitting PRFE therapy device was used to determine the control of postoperative pain after breast augmentation surgery.     

The effect of tight glycaemic control,during and after cardiac surgery,on patient mortality and morbidity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background  

Hyperglycaemia is a common occurrence during cardiac surgery, however, there remains some uncertainty surrounding the role of tight glycaemic control (blood glucose <180 mg/dL) during and/or after surgery. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to determine the effects of tight versus normal glycaemic control, during and after cardiac surgery, on measures of morbidity and mortality.