Surgery with adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment vs surgery alone for resectable pancreatic cancer: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide. The common treatment options for resectable pancreatic cancer include surgery alone, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), adjuvant CT, and adjuvant CRT. However, the optimal treatment is still controversial. AIM To identify the most effective approach for pancreatic cancer using network meta-analysis. METHODS Eligible studies were searched from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane database, and Google scholar. We searched and included randomized controlled trials reporting on neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies. For direct comparisons, standard pairwise meta-analysis was performed using the inverse variance DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. For indirect comparisons, Bayesian network meta-analysis was used to combine direct and indirect evidence. We used relative hazard ratios (HRs) to estimate death difference of different treatments, and relative odds ratios (ORs) for toxic effects. Treatment effects were ranked based on their efficacy for improving survival or reducing toxicity using rankogram. The quality of evidence of estimates from direct comparison and network meta-analysis was evaluated following the GRADE approach. RESULTS We included 13 high quality trials with 1591 participants in this network metaanalysis. Compared with surgery alone [pooled HR = 0.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-0.79] and surgery with adjuvant CRT (pooled HR = 0.6, 95%CI: 0.54-0.72), surgery with adjuvant CT had a higher rate of overall survival. In contrast, standard pairwise meta-analysis showed a statistically significant survival advantage of surgery with adjuvant CT compared with surgery alone (pooled HR = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.63-0.89;P < 0.001). Rankogram showed that surgery with adjuvant CT was most likely to rank the best in terms of overall survival (probability: 94.2%), followed by surgery alone (probability: 5.8%). No significant differences in overall toxicity or haematological toxicity were found between all the therapies. High quality evidence supported surgery with adjuvant CT over surgery alone for increasing overall survival. Moderate quality evidence supported surgery with adjuvant CT over surgery with adjuvant CRT for increasing overall survival. CONCLUSION Surgery with adjuvant CT prolongs overall survival compared with surgery alone and surgery with adjuvant CRT, suggesting surgery with adjuvant CT is the optimal treatment for resectable pancreatic cancer.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus surgery alone for gastric adenocarcinoma

Objective:Despite resection with curative intent,a majority of patients with gastric cancer will develop disease recurrence.Postoperative adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy increase the curability of surgery,prevent local recurrence and improve survival.Methods:Between December 2005 and February 2010,33 patients were eligible for the study,17 patients were randomly assigned for chemo-radiotherapy (GI) and 16 patients with surgery alone (GII).Patients in GI received chemotherapy (fluorouracil,425 mg/m 2/day,and leucovorin,20 mg/m 2/day,for 5 days) was initiated on day 1 and was followed by chemo-radiotherapy beginning 28 days after the start of the initial cycle of chemotherapy.Chemo-radiotherapy consisted of 4500 cGy of radiation at 180 cGy/day,five days/week for five weeks,with fluorouracil (400 mg/m 2/day) and leucovorin (20 mg/m 2/day) on the first four and the last four days of radiotherapy.One month after the completion of radiotherapy,two five-day cycles of fluorouracil (425 mg/m 2/day) plus leucovorin (20 mg/m 2/day) were given one month apart.Results:Grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity was more common (23.2%) while grade 3 hematological toxicity were (5.8%).Both 3-year survival (53%) and disease free survival (41%) rates were higher in GI than in GII in which they were 43.7% and 31% respectively.Relapse rate was higher in GII (56.3%) than in GI (35.3%).Conclusion:The present study revealed that chemo-radiotherapy after gastric resection in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma improves survival and relapse rates with manageable toxicities.However,studies with larger number of patients are recommended to confirm our results.

Gastric Adenocarcinoma Treatment in Africa: Surgery Alone or Perioperative Chemotherapy?

Aim: Evaluate the impact of MAGIC trial on gastric adenocarcinoma’s management in Africa. Method and methodology: It was about a review of literature on therapeutic aspects of gastric adenocarcinoma in the African area. We have taken a census of 21 articles including 2792 patients published between 1980 and 2013. We have distinguished articles published before 2006 (group 1) from those published after 2006 (group 2) to better understand therapeutic changes after that perioperative chemotherapy has become a standard in gastric adenocarcinoma’s management. Results: Surgery remains in Africa the first and practically the only treatment weapon in gastric adenocarcinoma: 46% to 92% people in the 1st group and 65% to 100% people in the 2nd group underwent surgical procedures. Perioperative chemotherapy takes longer to be part of therapeutic habits (0.18%). Factors related to patients such alteration of general state with a WHO performance status superior to 2 in 72% of cases, the lack of financial accessibility to anticancerous drugs explains partly the non-use of perioperative chemotherapy. This is also due to factors peculiar to our sanitation structures which don’t have enough cancer specialists. So we noticed that MAGIC trial is simply ignored in certain studies. The lack of adoption of perioperative chemotherapy explains with delayed diagnosis the low survival of patients in the African area. Conclusion: MAGIC trial practically has no effect on therapeutic behavior yet comparatively to gastric adenocarcinoma in Africa. The insurance particularly relies on surgery only until now. However, it might enable us to improve gastric adenocarcinoma’s survival rates.

Treatment of Keloids in A Child with Surgery Alone:Clinical Application of the LBD Suturing Technique

Keloids are fibroproliferative disorders that can result from cutaneous injuries to the reticular dermis.Recurrence rates as high as 100%have been reported following surgical excision alone.Consequently,a variety of post-surgical techniques have been employed to prevent keloid recurrence,including the use of radiation.Although numerous studies have shown that post-excisional X-rays,electron beams,lasers,and brachytherapy can reduce the rate of keloid recurrence,numerous inconsistencies,including a wide range of definitions for keloid recurrence,render it difficult to compare the outcomes.The treatment of severe keloids in children is much more challenging,and there have been few previous reports.It is generally believed that children with keloids should be treated with nonsurgical treatment such as hormone injections and radiotherapy.For severe keloids,these methods require a long treatment period,and their efficacy is not ideal.Moreover,the side effects of the treatment can affect children’s health.If keloid scars are not effectively treated,they will often seriously affect the physical and mental health of children.The purpose of this review is to discuss case studies of children with severe keloids who were only treated with surgery and their postoperative recovery.In this case,the deep-embedded circular mattress suture technique(LBD,the looped,broad,and deep buried suturing technique)was used in the scar resection.After 18 months of follow-up,the surgical scar was evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale(VSS).The scar was stable and did not recur.The child was satisfied.This case shows that it is completely feasible to treat severe keloids with surgery alone,as long as the tension is reduced during the operation to prevent surgical scar hyperplasia.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery

BACKGROUND This study was designed to investigate the clinical outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)in the perioperative period in elderly patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer(NSCLC).AIM To investigate the potential enhancement of video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS)in postoperative recovery in elderly patients with NSCLC.METHODS We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 85 elderly NSCLC patients who underwent ERAS(the ERAS group)and 327 elderly NSCLC patients who received routine care(the control group)after VATS at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital between May 2015 and April 2017.After propensity score matching of baseline data,we analysed the postoperative stay,total hospital expenses,postoperative 48-h pain score,and postoperative complication rate for the 2 groups of patients who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection.RESULTS After propensity score matching,ERAS significantly reduced the postoperative hospital stay(6.96±4.16 vs 8.48±4.18 d,P=0.001)and total hospital expenses(48875.27±18437.5 vs 55497.64±21168.63 CNY,P=0.014)and improved the satisfaction score(79.8±7.55 vs 77.35±7.72,P=0.029)relative to those for routine care.No significant between-group difference was observed in postoperative 48-h pain score(4.68±1.69 vs 5.28±2.1,P=0.090)or postoperative complication rate(21.2%vs 27.1%,P=0.371).Subgroup analysis showed that ERAS significantly reduced the postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses and increased the satisfaction score of patients who underwent lobectomy but not of patients who underwent sublobar resection.CONCLUSION ERAS effectively reduced the postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses and improved the satisfaction score in the perioperative period for elderly NSCLC patients who underwent lobectomy but not for patients who underwent sublobar resection.

Effect of ankle versus thigh tourniquets on post-operative pain in foot and ankle surgery

BACKGROUND Tourniquets are commonly used in elective extremity orthopaedic surgery to reduce blood loss,improve visualization in the surgical field,and to potentially reduce surgical time.There is a lack of consensus in existing guidelines regarding the optimal tourniquet pressure,placement site,and duration of use.There is a paucity of data on the relationship between the site of a tourniquet and postoperative pain in foot and ankle surgery.AIM To explore the relationship between tourniquet site and intensity of post-operative pain scores in patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery.METHODS Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 201 patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery in a single institution was undertaken.Intraoperative tourniquet duration,tourniquet pressure and site,and postoperative pain scores using Visual Analogue Score were collected in immediate recovery,at six hours and at 24 h post-op.Scatter plots were used to analyse the data and to assess for the statistical correlation between tourniquet pressure,duration,site,and pain scores using Pearson correlation coefficient.RESULTS All patients who underwent foot and ankle surgery had tourniquet pressure of 250 mmHg for ankle tourniquet and 300 mmHg for thigh.There was no correlation between the site of the tourniquet and pain scores in recovery,at six hours and after 24 h.There was a weak correlation between tourniquet time and Visual Analogue Score immediately post-op(r=0.14,P=0.04)but not at six or 24 h post-operatively.CONCLUSION This study shows that there was no statistically significant correlation between tourniquet pressure,site and postop pain in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery.The choice of using a tourniquet is based on the surgeon's preference,with the goal of minimizing the duration of its application at the operative site.

New direction for surgery:Super minimally invasive surgery

The top goal of modern medicine is treating disease without destroying organ structures and making patients as healthy as they were before their sickness.Minimally invasive surgery(MIS)has dominated the surgical realm because of its lesser invasiveness.However,changes in anatomical structures of the body and reconstruction of internal organs or different organs are common after traditional surgery or MIS,decreasing the quality of life of patients post-operation.Thus,I propose a new treatment mode,super MIS(SMIS),which is defined as“curing a disease or lesion which used to be treated by MIS while preserving the integrity of the organs”.In this study,I describe the origin,definition,operative channels,advantages,and future perspectives of SMIS.

Transurethral prostate surgery in prostate cancer patients: A population-based comparative analysis of complication and mortality rates

Objective:Prostate cancer(PCa)patients might experience lower urinary tract symptoms as those diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Some of them might be treated for their lower urinary tract symptoms instead of PCa.We aimed to test the effect of PCa versus BPH on surgical outcomes after transurethral prostate surgery,namely complication and mortality rates.Methods:Within the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database(2011-2016),we identified patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate,photoselective vaporization,or laser enucleation.Patients were stratified according to postoperative diagnosis(PCa vs.BPH).Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the predictors of perioperative morbidity and mortality.A formal test of interaction between diagnosis and surgical technique used was performed.Results:Overall,34542 patients were included.Of all,2008(5.8%)had a diagnosis of PCa.The multivariable logistic regression model failed to show statistically significant higher rates of postoperative complications in PCa patients(odds ratio:0.9,95%confidence interval:0.7-1.1;p=0.252).Moreover,similar rates of perioperative mortality(p=0.255),major acute cardiovascular events(p=0.581),transfusions(p=0.933),and length of stay of more than or equal to 30 days(p=0.174)were found.Additionally,all tests failed to show an interaction between post-operative diagnosis and surgical technique used.Conclusion:Patients diagnosed with PCa do not experience higher perioperative morbidity or mortality after transurethral prostate surgery when compared to their BPH counterparts.Moreover,the diagnosis seems to not influence surgical technique outcomes.

Managerial perspectives of scaling up robotic-assisted surgery in healthcare systems:A systematic literature review

Objectives Robotic-assisted surgery(RAS)is a minimally invasive technique practiced in multiple specialties.Standard training is essential for the acquisition of RAS skills.The cost of RAS is considered to be high,which makes it a burden for institutes and unaffordable for patients.This systematic literature review(SLR)focused on the various RAS training methods applied in different surgical specialties,as well as the cost elements of RAS,and was to summarize the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling up RAS.Methods An SLR was carried out based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines.The PubMed,EBSCO,and Scopus databases were searched for reports from January 2018 through January 2024.Full-text reviews and research articles in the English language from Asia-Pacific countries were included.Articles that outlined training and costs associated with RAS were chosen.Results The most common training system is the da Vinci system.The simulation technique,which includes dry-lab,wet-lab,and virtual reality training,was found to be a common and important practice.The cost of RAS encompasses the installation and maintenance costs of the robotic system,the operation theatre rent,personnel cost,surgical instrument and material cost,and other miscellaneous charges.The synthesis of SLR revealed the challenges and opportunities regarding RAS training and cost.Conclusions The results of this SLR will help stakeholders such as decision-makers,influencers,and end users of RAS to understand the significance of training and cost in scaling up RAS from a managerial perspective.For any healthcare innovation to reach a vast population,cost-effectiveness and standard training are crucial.

Development and validation of a nomogram model for predicting the risk of gallstone recurrence after gallbladder-preserving surgery

Background:The high incidence of gallstone recurrence was a major concern for laparoscopic gallbladderpreserving surgery.This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for gallstone recurrence after gallbladder-preserving surgery and to establish an individualized nomogram model to predict the risk of gallstone recurrence.Methods:The clinicopathological and follow-up data of 183 patients who were initially diagnosed with gallstones and treated with gallbladder-preserving surgery at our hospital from January 2012 to January 2019 were retrospectively collected.The independent predictive factors for gallstone recurrence following gallbladder-preserving surgery were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.A nomogram model for the prediction of gallstone recurrence was constructed based on the selected variables.The C-index,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive power of the nomogram model for gallstone recurrence.Results:During the follow-up period,a total of 65 patients experienced gallstone recurrence,and the recurrence rate was 35.5%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the course of gallstones>2 years[odds ratio(OR)=2.567,95%confidence interval(CI):1.270-5.187,P=0.009],symptomatic gallstones(OR=2.589,95%CI:1.059-6.329,P=0.037),multiple gallstones(OR=2.436,95%CI:1.133-5.237,P=0.023),history of acute cholecystitis(OR=2.778,95%CI:1.178-6.549,P=0.020)and a greasy diet(OR=2.319,95%CI:1.186-4.535,P=0.014)were independent risk factors for gallstone recurrence after gallbladder-preserving surgery.A nomogram model for predicting the recurrence of gallstones was established based on the above five variables.The results showed that the C-index of the nomogram model was 0.692,suggesting it was valuable to predict gallstone recurrence.Moreover,the calibration curve showed good consistency between the predicted probability and actual probability.Conclusions:The nomogram model for the prediction of gallstone recurrence might help clinicians develop a proper treatment strategy for patients with gallstones.Gallbladder-preserving surgery should be cautiously considered for patients with high recurrence risks.

Performance in the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery: Does it reflect global rating scales in the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills in porcine laparoscopic surgery?

Objective:To correlate the utility of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery(FLS)manual skills program with the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills(OSATS)global rating scale in evaluating operative performance.Methods:The Asian Urological Surgery Training and Educational Group(AUSTEG)Laparoscopic Upper Tract Surgery Course implemented and validated the FLS program for its usage in laparoscopic surgical training.Delegates’basic laparoscopic skills were assessed using three different training models(peg transfer,precision cutting,and intra-corporeal suturing).They also performed live porcine laparoscopic surgery at the same workshop.Live surgery skills were assessed by blinded faculty using the OSATS rating scale.Results:From March 2016 to March 2019,a total of 81 certified urologists participated in the course,with a median of 5 years of post-residency experience.Although differences in task time did not reach statistical significance,those with more surgical experience were visibly faster at completing the peg transfer and intra-corporeal suturing FLS tasks.However,they took longer to complete the precision cutting task than participants with less experience.Overall OSATS scores correlated weakly with all three FLS tasks(peg transfer time:r=0.331,r^(2)=0.110;precision cutting time:r=0.240,r^(2)=0.058;suturing with intracorporeal knot time:r=0.451,r^(2)=0.203).Conclusion:FLS task parameters did not correlate strongly with OSATS globing rating scale performance.Although FLS task models demonstrated strong validity,it is important to assimilate the inconsistencies when benchmarking technical proficiency against real-life operative competence,as evaluated by FLS and OSATS,respectively.

Multi-aspect analysis of ureteral access sheath usage in retrograde intrarenal surgery: A RIRSearch group study

Objective:To evaluate the effect of ureteral access sheath(UAS)use and calibration change on stone-free rate and complications of retrograde intrarenal surgery(RIRS).Methods:Data from 568 patients undergoing RIRS for kidney or upper ureteral stones were retrospectively included.Firstly,patients were compared after 1:1 propensity score matching,according to UAS usage during RIRS(UAS used[+]87 and UAS non-used[−]87 patients).Then all UAS+patients(n=481)were subdivided according to UAS calibration:9.5-11.5 Fr,10-12 Fr,11-13 Fr,and 13-15 Fr.Primary outcomes of the study were the success and complications of RIRS.Results:Stone-free rate of UAS+patients(86.2%)was significantly higher than UAS−patients(70.1%)after propensity score matching(p=0.01).Stone-free rate increased with higher caliber UAS(9.5-11.5 Fr:66.7%;10-12 Fr:87.0%;11-13 Fr:90.6%;13-15 Fr:100%;p<0.001).Postoperative complications of UAS+patients(11.5%)were significantly lower than UAS−patients(27.6%)(p=0.01).Complications(8.7%)with 9.5-11.5 Fr UAS was lower than thicker UAS(17.2%)but was not statistically significant(p=0.09).UAS usage was an independent factor predicting stone-free status or peri-and post-operative complications(odds ratio[OR]3.654,95%confidence interval[CI]1.314-10.162;OR 4.443,95%CI 1.350-14.552;OR 4.107,95%CI 1.366-12.344,respectively).Conclusion:Use of UAS in RIRS may increase stone-free rates,which also increase with higher caliber UAS.UAS usage may reduce complications;however,complications seemingly increase with higher UAS calibration.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas:A systematic review of clinical,surgical and oncological characteristics of 1384 patients underwent pancreatic surgery

Background:Pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumors(SPTs)are rare clinical entity,with low malignancy and still unclear pathogenesis.They account for less than 2%of exocrine pancreatic neoplasms.This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the main clinical,surgical and oncological characteristics of pancreatic SPTs.Data sources:MEDLINE/PubMed,Web of Science and Scopus databases were systematically searched for the main clinical,surgical and oncological characteristics of pancreatic SPTs up to April 2021,in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses(PRISMA)standards.Primary endpoints were to analyze treatments and oncological outcomes.Results:A total of 823 studies were recorded,86 studies underwent full-text reviews and 28 met inclusion criteria.Overall,1384 patients underwent pancreatic surgery.Mean age was 30 years and 1181 patients(85.3%)were female.The most common clinical presentation was non-specific abdominal pain(52.6%of cases).Mean overall survival was 98.1%.Mean recurrence rate was 2.8%.Mean follow-up was 4.2 years.Conclusions:Pancreatic SPTs are rare,and predominantly affect young women with unclear pathogenesis.Radical resection is the gold standard of treatment achieving good oncological impact and a favorable prognosis in a yearly life-long follow-up.

Local recurrence rate as quality indicator in surgery for pancreatic cancer?

To the Editor: As we all know, even with the current advancements regarding novel chemotherapy regimens, patients affected by pancreatic cancer(PC) have an extremely dismal prognosis(5-year survival rate 12% for all stages in the National Cancer Institute SEER database). Among the patients undergoing surgical treatment, the prognosis is mostly affected by recurrence. PC after surgery has mainly four patterns of recurrence, isolated or variously associated with each other: local, lymph nodal, peritoneal or distant(liver, lung, other sites).

Surgical approaches to correct corneal astigmatism at time of cataract surgery: a mini-review

Among refractive errors,astigmatism is the most common optical aberration,where refraction changes in different meridians of the eye.It causes blurred vision at any distance and includes corneal,lenticular,and retinal astigmatism.Cataract surgery used to cause a progressive increase in the pre-exisiting corneal astigmatism because of creating a surgically induced astigmatism,for example,a large size surgery incision.The development of surgical techniques during last decades has made cataract surgery interchange to treat preoperative corneal astigmatism at time of surgery.Nowadays,three surgical approaches can be used.By placing a sutureless clear corneal incision on the steep meridian of the cornea,a preoperative corneal astigmatism less than 1.0 D can be corrected.Single or paired peripheral corneal relaxing incisions(PCRIs)provide 1.0-3.0 D corneal astigmatism correction.PCRIs are typically used for treating 1.0-1.5 D of regular corneal astigmatism,if more than 2.0 D,the risk of overcorrection and irregular astigmatism is increased.When toric intraocular lenses(IOLs)are unavailable in markets,PCRIs are still a reasonable option for patients with up to 3.0 D of pre-existing corneal astigmatism.Toric IOLs implantation can correct 1.0-4.5 D of corneal astigmatism.Several IOLs are approved to correct a high degree of corneal astigmatism with cylinder power up to 12.0 D.These approaches can be used alone or in combination.

Are there sex-based disparities in cataract surgery?

AIM:To investigate sex-based differences in the occurrence of intra-operative and post-operative complications and associated visual outcomes following cataract surgery.METHODS:This was a retrospective study of patients who had phacoemulsification cataract surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.Data collected included the patient’s health history,ocular comorbidities,operative and post-operative complications,and the post-operative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA).The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to account for the correlation of some patients having two eyes included in the study.RESULTS:A total of 11977 eyes from 7253 patients were included in the study.Ocular comorbidities differed by sex,with males having significantly higher percentages of traumatic cataracts(males 0.7%vs females 0.1%),prior ocular surgery(6.7%vs 5.5%),and mature cataracts(2.8%vs 1.9%).Conversely,females had significantly higher rates of pseudoexfoliation(2.0%vs 3.2%).In unadjusted analysis,males had higher rates of posterior capsular rupture(0.8%vs 0.4%)and vitreous loss(1.0%vs 0.6%),but this difference was not significant after adjustment for confounders.Males had a significantly increased risk of post-operative retinal detachment,but in multivariable analysis this was no longer significant.Males were significantly less likely to undergo post-operative neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet(Nd:YAG)laser capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification(OR=0.8,95%CI=0.7-0.9,P=0.0005).The BCVA was slightly worse for males pre-operatively;but post-operatively,both sexes exhibited similar visual acuity of Snellen equivalent 20/25.CONCLUSION:The study finds that in a cohort of patients presenting for cataract surgery,sex differences exist in pre-operative comorbidities and surgical characteristics that contribute to higher rates of some complications for males.However,observed surgical complication rates exhibit almost no difference by sex after adjusting for pre-operative differences and post-operative BCVA is similar between sexes.

Parallel pathways:A chronicle of evolution in rectal and breast cancer surgery

In this editorial,we have analyzed the historical evolution of rectal and breast cancer surgery,focusing on the progressive reduction of demolitive approaches and the increasing use of more conservative strategies,accompanied by a growing emphasis on perioperative treatments aimed at enhancing surgical outcomes.All of these changes have been made possible due to an increased awareness and understanding of oncological diseases and improved perioperative treatments.

Defining minimal invasive surgical therapy for benign prostatic obstruction surgery: Perspectives from a global knowledge, attitude, and practice survey

Objective:To scrutinize the definitions of minimal invasive surgical therapy(MIST)and to investigate urologists’knowledge,attitudes,and practices for benign prostatic obstruction surgeries.Methods:A 36-item survey was developed with a Delphi method.Questions on definitions of MIST and attitudes and practices of benign prostatic obstruction surgeries were included.Urologists were invited globally to complete the online survey.Consensus was achieved when more than or equal to 70%responses were“agree or strongly agree”and less than or equal to 15%responses were“disagree or strongly disagree”(consensus agree),or when more than or equal to 70%responses were“disagree or strongly disagree”and less than or equal to 15%responses were“agree or strongly agree”(consensus disagree).Results:The top three qualities for defining MIST were minimal blood loss(n=466,80.3%),fast post-operative recovery(n=431,74.3%),and short hospital stay(n=425,73.3%).The top three surgeries that were regarded as MIST were Urolift®(n=361,62.2%),Rezum®(n=351,60.5%),and endoscopic enucleation of the prostate(EEP)(n=332,57.2%).Consensus in the knowledge section was achieved for the superiority of Urolift®,Rezum®,and iTIND®over transurethral resection of the prostate with regard to blood loss,recovery,day surgery feasibility,and post-operative continence.Consensus in the attitudes section was achieved for the superiority of Urolift®,Rezum®,and iTIND®over transurethral resection of the prostate with regard to blood loss,recovery,and day surgery feasibility.Consensus on both sections was achieved for EEP as the option with the better symptoms and flow improvement,lower retreatment rate,and better suitable for prostate more than 80 mL.Conclusion:Minimal blood loss,fast post-operative recovery,and short hospital stay were the most important qualities for defining MIST.Urolift®,Rezum®,and EEP were regarded as MIST by most urologists.

Enhanced recovery after surgery:Progress in adapted pathways for implementation in standard and emerging surgical settings

The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)has been practiced for decades and has been implemented in numerous surgical specialties.ERAS is a global surgical quality improvement initiative,and it is an element in the field of perioperative care.ERAS had shown significant clinical outcomes,patientreported satisfaction,and improvements in medical service cost.ERAS has been developed for specific surgical procedures,but with the fast progress of newly introduced surgical procedures,the original ERAS have been developed and modified.Recently appearing Topics and future research trends encompass ERAS protocols for other types of surgery and the enhancement of perioperative status,including but not limited to pediatric surgery,laparoscopic and robotic assisted surgery,bariatric surgery,thoracic surgery,and renal transplantation.The elements and pathways of ERAS have been developed with the introduction of up-to-date methodologies in the pre-operative,operative,and post-operative pathways.ERAS costs are higher than traditional care,but the patient’s clinical outcome and satisfaction are higher.ERAS is in progress in the fields of anesthetic tasks,pediatric surgery,and organ transplantation.Although ERAS has shown significant clinical outcomes,there are needs to modify the protocol for specific cases,hospital facilities,resources,and nurses training on elements of ERAS.Several challenges and limitations exist in the implementation of ERAS that deserve consideration,it includes:Frailty,maximizing nutrition,prehabilitation,treating preoperative anemia,and enhancing ERAS adoption globally are all included.

Does enhanced recovery after surgery programs improve clinical outcomes in liver cancer surgery?

Enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)programs have been widely applied in liver surgery since the publication of the first ERAS guidelines in 2016 and the new recommendations in 2022.Liver surgery is usually performed in oncological patients(liver metastasis,hepatocellular carcinoma,cholangiocarcinoma,etc.),but the real impact of liver surgery ERAS programs in oncological outcomes is not clearly defined.Theoretical advantages of ERAS programs are:ERAS decreases postoperative complication rates and has been demonstrated a clear relationship between complications and oncological outcomes;a better and faster posto-perative recovery should let oncologic teams begin chemotherapeutic regimens on time;prehabilitation and nutrition actions before surgery should also improve the performance status of the patients receiving chemotherapy.So,ERAS could be another way to improve our oncological results.We will discuss the literature about liver surgery ERAS focusing on its oncological implications and future investigations projects.