Characteristics of early gastric tumors with different differentiation and predictors of long-term outcomes after endoscopic submucosal dissection

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract,and endosco-pic submucosal dissection(ESD)is the preferred treatment for early-stage gastric cancer.The analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of gastric mucosal tumors with different differentiation degrees and the influencing factors of long-term ESD efficacy may have certain significance for revealing the development of gastric cancer and ESD.AIM To analyze the features of gastric mucosal tumors at different differentiation levels,and to explore the prognostic factors of ESD.METHODS We retrospectively studied 301 lesions in 285 patients at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from 2014 to 2021,according to the latest Japanese guidelines(sixth edition),and divided them into low-grade intrae-pithelial neoplasia(LGIN),high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(HGIN),and computed tomography at 3,6 and 12 months after ESD.We compared clinicopathologic characteristics,ESD efficacy,and complications with different degrees of differentiation,and analyzed the related factors associated with ESD.RESULTS HGIN and differentiated carcinoma patients were significantly older compared with LGIN patients(P<0.001)and accounted for more 0-IIc(P<0.001),atrophic gastritis was common(P<0.001),and irregular microvascular patterns(IMVPs)and demarcation lines(DLs)were more obvious(P<0.001).There was more infiltration in the undifferentiated carcinoma tissue(P<0.001),more abnormal folds and poorer mucosal peristalsis(P<0.001),and more obvious IMVPs,irregular microsurface patterns and DLs(P<0.05)than in the LGIN and HGIN tissues.The disease-free survival rates at 2,5,and 8 years after ESD were 95.0%,90.1%,and 86.9%,respectively.Undifferen-tiated lesions(HR 5.066),white moss(HR 7.187),incomplete resection(HR 3.658),and multiple primary cancers(HR 2.462)were significantly associated with poor prognosis.CONCLUSION Differentiations of gastric mucosal tumors have different epidemiological and endoscopic characteristics,which are closely related to the safety and efficacy of ESD.

Long-term outcomes of staged recanalization for concurrent chronic total occlusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background In patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI),approximately 10%are concomitant with a chronic total occlusion(CTO)in a non-culprit vessel.However,the impact of staged CTO recanalization on prognosis in this cohort remains disputable.This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of staged CTO recanalization versus medical therapy in patients with STEMI after primary PCI.Methods Between January 2005 and December 2016,a total of 287 patients were treated with staged CTO-PCI(n=91)or medical therapy(n=196)after primary PCI in our center.The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event(MACCE),defined as a composite of all-cause death,nonfatal myocardial infarction(MI),stroke or unplanned revascularization.After propensity-score matching,77 pairs of well-balanced patients were identified.Results The mean follow-up period was 6.06 years.Overall,the incidence of the primary endpoint of MACCE was significantly lower in staged CTO-PCI group than that in medical therapy group in both overall population(22.0%vs.46.9%;hazard ratio(HR)=0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.77)and propensity-matched cohorts(22.1%vs.42.9%;HR:0.48,95%CI:0.27-0.86).In addition,staged CTO-PCI was also associated with reduced risk of the composite of cardiac death,nonfatal MI or stroke compared with medical therapy in both overall population(9.9%vs.26.5%;hazard ratio(HR)=0.39,95%CI:0.19-0.79)and propensity-matched cohorts(9.1%vs.22.1%;HR:0.40,95%CI:0.16-0.96).After correction of the possible confounders,staged CTO-PCI was independently associated with reduced risks of MACCE(adjusted HR:0.46,95%CI:0.28-0.75),the composite of cardiac death,nonfatal MI or stroke(adjusted HR:0.45,95%CI:0.22-0.94)and all-cause mortality(adjusted HR:0.32,95%CI:0.13-0.83).Moreover,the results of sensitivity analysis were almost concordant with the overall analysis.Conclusions In patients with STEMI and a concurrent CTO who undergo primary PCI,successful staged recanalization of CTO in the non-culprit vessels is associated with better clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up.

Outcomes of cardiac surgery in senior aged patients with ventricular dysfunction:analysis of a large national database

OBJECTIVE In patients undergoing cardiac surgery,reduced preoperative ejection fraction(EF)and senior age are associated with a worse outcome.As most outcome data available for these patients are mainly from Western surgical populations involving specific surgery types,our aim is to evaluate the real-world characteristics and perioperative outcomes of surgery in senior-aged heart failure patients with reduced EF across a broad range cardiac surgeries.METHODS Data were obtained from the China Heart Failure Surgery Registry(China-HFSR)database,a nationwide multicenter registry study in China's Mainland.Multiple variable regression analysis was performed in patients over 75 years old to identify risk factors associated with mortality.RESULTS From 2012 to 2017,578 senior-aged(>75 years)patients were enrolled in China HFSR,21.1%of whom were female.Isolated coronary bypass grafting(CABG)were performed in 71.6%of patients,10.1%of patients underwent isolated valve surgery and 8.7%received CABG combined with valve surgery.In-hospital mortality was 10.6%,and the major complication rate was 17.3%.Multivariate analysis identified diabetes mellitus(odds ratio(OR)=1.985),increased creatinine(OR=1.007),New York Heart Association(NYHA)Class III(OR=1.408),NYHA class IV(OR=1.955),cardiogenic shock(OR,6.271),and preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump insertion(OR=3.426)as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.CONCLUSIONS In senior-aged patients,preoperative evaluation should be carefully performed,and strict management of reversible factors needs more attention.Senior-aged patients commonly have a more severe disease status combined with more frequent comorbidities,which may lead to a high risk in mortality.

D-dimer level and long-term outcome in patients with end-stage heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background Previous studies had demonstrated hemostatic abnormalities in patients with heart failure (HF) and several studies have shown that abnormal coagulation indices, represented by elevated D-dimer, had prognostic significance in patients with compatible or acute decompensated HF. However, the impact of D-dimer on the outcome in patients with end-stage HF remains unclear. Methods A total of 244 consecutive patients with end-stage HF due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were prospectively enrolled from February 2011 to September 2014. D-dimer levels were measured and its prognostic value was assessed. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality during the follow-up period. Secondary endpoints were stroke, bleeding, occurrence of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results D-dimer was significantly elevated in the non-survivors (median: 0.8 vs. 1.1 mg/L, P < 0.001). Traditional markers including B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin I, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension provided limited prognostic value;but the addition of D-dimer refined the risk stratification. The optimal cut-off value of D-dimer to predict all-cause mortality was 0.84 mg/L by receiver operator characteristic analysis. Elevated D-dimer level was independently associated with increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality (HR = 2.315, 95% CI: 1.570–3.414, P < 0.001) and MACE (HR = 1.256, 95% CI: 1.058–1.490, P = 0.009), and the predictive value was independent of age, sex, atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation status. Conclusions Elevated D-dimer level was independently associated with poor long-term outcome in patients with end-stage HF secondary to idiopathic DCM, and the predictive value was superior to that of traditional prognostic markers.

Original Article: Prognostic Factors of Long-Term Outcome and Functional Status Following Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage

Cerebellar hemorrhage (CH) has a higher early mortality rate compared with other types of intracranial hemorrhage and the survivors often suffer from momentous disability. Hence, the prognostic factors of long-term outcome beyond 6 months after CH are clinically valuable, however only three studies were reported in the literature. Sixty-one patients with CH were retrospectively analyzed at least 6 months after hemorrhage. The long-term outcome of all patients and long-term functional status of survivors beyond 6 months (the patients who died within 6 months after hemorrhage were excluded) were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS): favorable outcome (mRS 0 - 2) and unfavorable outcome (mRS 3 - 6). All of the prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. There were 16 (26.2%) patients in the favorable outcome group and 45 (73.8%) in the unfavorable outcome group with respect of long-term outcome in all patients. The radiological brainstem compression (HR = 3;p = 0.015) was shown to be an independent predictor. On the other hand, 46 out of 61 (75.4%) patients survived beyond 6 months. In total, 16 (34.7%) patients had a favorable functional status, and 65.3% (30/46) had a persistent unfavorable functional status. Moreover, only age 365 years (HR = 3;p = 0.019) was an independent predictor. Radiological brainstem compression and age 365 were respectively shown to be a strong prognostic factor for long-term outcome and functional status among survivors beyond 6 months after hemorrhage in patients with CH.

Propensity score analyses of long-term outcomes of perivascular hepatocellular carcinoma: Radiofrequency ablation vs. surgery

To the Editor:WereadwithgreatinterestthearticlebyDr.Leeetal.[1],which compared the long-term outcomes of patients with perivascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation(RFA) and surgical resection (SR) as first-line treatment. By using propensity score matching (PSM) analyses, the authors concluded that SR provided better long-term tumor control and overall survival than RFA for patients with small periportal tumors. Herein,

Short-and long-term outcomes of endoscopically treated superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors

BACKGROUND It is widely recognized that endoscopic resection(ER) of superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors(SNADETs) is technically challenging and may carry high risks of intraoperative and delayed bleeding and perforation.These adverse events could be more critical than those occurring in other levels of the gastrointestinal tract. Because of the low prevalence of the disease and the high risks of severe adverse events, the curability including short-and long-term outcomes have not been standardized yet.AIM To investigate the curability including short-and long-term outcomes of ER for SNADETs in a large case series.METHODS This retrospective study included cases that underwent ER for SNADETs at our university hospital between March 2004 and July 2017. Short-term outcomes of ER were measured based on en bloc and R0 resection rates as well as adverse events. Long-term outcomes included local recurrence detected on endoscopic surveillance and disease-specific mortality in patients followed up for ≥ 12 mo after ER.RESULTS In the study, 131 patients with 147 SNADETs were analyzed. The 147 ERs consisted of 136 endoscopic mucosal resections(EMRs)(93%) and 11 endoscopic submucosal dissections(ESDs)(7%). The median tumor diameter was 10 mm.The pathology diagnosis was adenocarcinoma(56/147, 38%), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(44/147, 30%), or low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(47/147, 32%). The R0 resection rate was 68%(93/136) in the EMR group and73%(8/11) in the ESD group, respectively. Cap-assisted EMR(known as EMR-C)showed a higher rate of R0 resection compared to the conventional method of EMR using a snare(78% vs 62%, P = 0.06). No adverse event was observed in the EMR group, whereas delayed bleeding, intraoperative perforation, and delayed perforation in 3, 3, and 5 patients occurred in the ESD group, respectively. One patient with perforation required emergency surgery. In the 43 mo median follow-up period, local recurrence was found in four EMR cases and all cases were treated endoscopically. No patient died due to tumor recurrence.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that ER provides good long-term outcomes in the patients with SNADETs. EMR is likely to become the safe and reliable treatment for small SNADETs.

Quality of life following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: Assessing short-term and long-term outcomes

AIM: To investigate the quality of life following lapa-roscopic Nissen fundoplication by assessing short-term and long-term outcomes. METHODS: From 1992 to 2005, 249 patients under-went laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Short-term outcome data including symptom response, side effects of surgery, endoscopy, and patient's perception of over-all success were collected prospectively. Long-term out-comes were investigated retrospectively in patients witha median follow-up of 10 years by assessment of reflux symptoms, side effects of surgery, durability of antire-flux surgery, need for additional treatment, patient's perception of success, and quality of life. Antireflux sur-gery was considered a failure based on the following criteria: moderate to severe heartburn or regurgitation; moderate to severe dysphagia reported in combination with heartburn or regurgitation; regular proton pump inhibitor medication use; endoscopic evidence of erosive esophagitis Savary-Miller grade 1-4; pathological 24-h pH monitoring; or necessity to undergo an additional surgery. The main outcome measures were short-and long-term cure rates and quality of life, with patient sat-isfaction as a secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: Conversion from laparoscopy to open sur-gery was necessary in 2.4% of patients. Mortality was zero and the 30-d morbidity was 7.6% (95%CI: 4.7%-11.7%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 2 d [interquartile range (IQR) 2-3 d]. Two hundred and forty-seven patients were interviewed for short-term analysis following endoscopy. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease was cured in 98.4% (95%CI: 95.9%-99.6%) of patients three months after surgery. New-onset dysphagia was encountered postoperatively in 13 patients (6.7%); 95% reported that the outcome was better after antireflux surgery than with preopera-tive medical treatment. One hundred and thirty-nine patients with a median follow-up of 10.2 years (IQR 7.2-11.6 years) were available for a long-term evalu-ation. Cumulative long-term cure rates were 87.7% (81.0%-92.2%) at 5 years and 72.9% (64.0%-79.9%) at 10 years. Gastrointestinal symptom rating scores and RAND-36 quality of life scores of patients with treatment success were similar to those of the general population but significantly lower in those with failed antireflux surgery. Of the patients available for long-term follow-up, 83% rated their operation a success. CONCLUSION: For the long-term, our results indicate decreasing effectiveness of laparoscopic antirefluxsurgery, although most of the patients seem to have an overall quality of life similar to that of the general population.

Treatment of central precocious puberty by GnRH analogs： long-term outcome in men

In boys, central precocious puberty （CPP） is the appearance of secondary sex characteristics driven by pituitary gonadotropin secretion before the age of 9 years. In the last years, relevant improvements in the treatment of CPP have been achieved. Because CPP is rare in boys, the majority of papers on this issue focus on girls and do not address specific features of male patients regarding end results and safety. In the present paper, recent advances of CPP management with GnRH analogs in men are summarized. End results in untreated and treated patients are also reviewed by an analysis of the recently published literature on treatment of CPP in men. The available data indicate that therapy with GnRH analogs can improve final height into the range of target height without significant adverse short-term and long-term effects, but longer follow-up of larger series of patients is still required to draw definitive conclusions.

Short-and long-term outcome of interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis B infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious clinical problem worldwide. Conventional interferon (IFN)-&#x003b1; has been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Short-term studies have demonstrated that IFN-based therapy is moderately effective in inducing the loss of hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg) or seroconversion (30%-40%) in HBeAg-positive patients and also produces sustained HBV DNA suppression (20%-30%) in HBeAg-negative patients. Many studies have reported a correlation between the HBV genotype and response to IFN treatment. The highest response rate to IFN treatment was found in patients infected with HBV genotype A, followed by HBV genotypes B, C, and D. The long-term effect of IFN-&#x003b1; on CHB has not yet been elucidated. The ability of IFN-&#x003b1; treatment to prevent new cirrhosis, complications associated with cirrhosis, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial. The beneficial effect of IFN-&#x003b1; treatment in reducing the development of HCC has mainly been observed in treatment responders who already have cirrhosis. These inconsistent findings may be attributed to the inevitable limitations of comparisons across studies, including differences in the baseline characteristics of the study and the moderate suppression of HBV replication by IFN-&#x003b1; relative to nucleoside/nucleos(t)ide analogs.

Lower extremity amputations and long-term outcomes in diabetic foot ulcers:A systematic review

BACKGROUNDDiabetes mellitus causes a large majority of non-traumatic major and minoramputations globally. Patients with diabetes are clinically complex with amultifactorial association between diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and subsequentlower extremity amputations (LEA). Few studies show the long-term outcomeswithin the cohort of DFU-associated LEA.AIMTo highlight the long-term outcomes of LEA as a result of DFU.METHODSPubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched for key terms, “diabetes”,“foot ulcers”, “amputations” and “outcomes”. Outcomes such as mortality, reamputation,re-ulceration and functional impact were recorded. Peer-reviewedstudies with adult patients who had DFU, subsequent amputation and follow upof at least 1 year were included. Non-English language articles or studiesinvolving children were excluded.RESULTSA total of 22 publications with a total of 2334 patients were selected against theinclusion criteria for review. The weighted mean of re-amputation was 20.14%,29.63% and 45.72% at 1, 3 and 5 years respectively. The weighted mean of mortality at 1, 3 and 5 years were 13.62%, 30.25% and 50.55% respectively withsignificantly higher rates associated with major amputation, re-amputation andischemic cardiomyopathy.CONCLUSIONPrevious LEA, level of the LEA and patient comorbidities were significant riskfactors contributing to re-ulceration, re-amputation, mortality and depreciatedfunctional status.

Combined liver and kidney transplantation in children and long-term outcome

Combined liver-kidney transplantation(CLKT)is a rarely performed complex surgical procedure in children and involves transplantation of kidney and either whole or part of liver donated by the same individual(usually a cadaver)to the same recipient during a single surgical procedure.Most common indications for CLKT in children are autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease and primary hyperoxaluria type 1.Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome,methylmalonic academia,and conditions where liver and renal failure co-exists may be indications for CLKT.CLKT is often preferred over sequential liver-kidney transplantation due to immunoprotective effects of transplanted liver on renal allograft;however,liver survival has no significant impact.Since CLKT is a major surgical procedure which involves multiple and complex anastomosis surgeries,acute complications are not uncommon.Bleeding,thrombosis,haemodynamic instability,infections,acute cellular rejections,renal and liver dysfunction are acute complications.The long-term outlook is promising with over 80%5-year survival rates among those children who survive the initial six-month postoperative period.

Long-term outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps:Results from a 10-year cohort

BACKGROUND Choosing an optimal post-polypectomy management strategy of malignant colorectal polyps is challenging,and evidence regarding a surveillance-only strategy is limited.AIM To evaluate long-term outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps.METHODS A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps between 2010 and 2020.Residual disease rate and nodal metastases after secondary surgery and local and distant recurrence rate for those with at least 1 year of follow-up were invest-igated.Event rates for categorical variables and means for continuous variables with 95%confidence intervals were calculated,and Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney test were performed.Potential risk factors of adverse outcomes were RESULTS In total,135 lesions(mean size:22.1 mm;location:42%rectal)from 129 patients(mean age:67.7 years;56%male)were enrolled.The proportion of pedunculated and non-pedunculated lesions was similar,with en bloc resection in 82%and 47%of lesions,respectively.Tumor differentiation,distance from resection margins,depth of submucosal invasion,lymphovascular invasion,and budding were reported at 89.6%,45.2%,58.5%,31.9%,and 25.2%,respectively.Residual tumor was found in 10 patients,and nodal metastasis was found in 4 of 41 patients who underwent secondary surgical resection.Univariate analysis identified piecemeal resection as a risk factor for residual malignancy(odds ratio:1.74;P=0.042).At least 1 year of follow-up was available for 117 lesions from 111 patients(mean follow-up period:5.59 years).Overall,54%,30%,30%,11%,and 16%of patients presented at the 1-year,3-year,5-year,7-year,and 9-10-year surveillance examinations.Adverse outcomes occurred in 9.0%(local recurrence and dissemination in 4 patients and 9 patients,respectively),with no difference between patients undergoing secondary surgery and surveillance only.CONCLUSION Reporting of histological features and adherence to surveillance colonoscopy needs improvement.Long-term adverse outcome rates might be higher than previously reported,irrespective of whether secondary surgery was performed.

A single center analysis of long-term outcomes and survival related risk factors in liver retransplantation

Background:Liver retransplant is the only option to save a patient with liver graft failure.However,it is controversial due to its poor survival outcome compared to primary transplantation.Insufficient deceased organ donation in Taiwan leads to high waitlist mortality.Hence,living-donor grafts offer a valuable alternative for retransplantation.This study aims to analyze the single center’s outcome in living donor liver retransplantation(re-LDLT)and deceased donor liver retransplantation(re-DDLT)as well as the survival related confounding risk factors.Methods:This is a single center retrospective study including 32 adults who underwent liver retransplantation(re-LT)from June 2002 to April 2020.The cohort was divided into a re-LDLT and a re-DDLT group and survival outcomes were analyzed.Patient outcomes over different periods,the effect of timing on survival,and multivariate analysis for risk factors were also demonstrated Results:Of the 32 retransplantations,the re-LDLT group(n=11)received grafts from younger donors(31.3 vs.43.75 years,P=0.016),with lower graft weights(688 vs.1,457.2 g,P<0.001)and shorter cold ischemia time(CIT)(45 vs.313 min,P<0.001).The 5-year survival was significantly better in the re-LDLT group than in the re-DDLT group(100%vs.70.8%,P=0.02).This difference was adjusted when only retransplantation after 2010 was analyzed.Further analysis showed that the timing of retransplantation(early vs.late)did not affect patient survival.Multivariate analysis revealed that prolonged warm ischemia time(WIT)and intraoperative blood transfusion were related to poor long-term survival.Conclusions:Retransplantation with living donor graft demonstrated good long-term outcomes with acceptable complications to both recipient and donor.It may serve as a choice in areas lacking deceased donors.The timing of retransplantation did not affect the long-term survival.Further effort should be made to reduce WIT and massive blood transfusion as they contributed to poor survival after retransplantation.

Retrospective Cohort Study to Investigate Pregnancy Outcomes in a Population of Advanced Maternal Age Congolese Women of Kinshasa: A Study Protocol

Introduction: Pregnancies at advanced maternal age (AMA) are those occurring after the age of 35 years old. They carry a high risk of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality, thus constituting a public health problem. Several African countries have reported an upward trend in both the age of childbirth and the frequency of women with AMA over the past 20 years. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality remain very high, data on AMA pregnancies go back more than 20 years. Objective: We propose evaluating obstetrical outcomes among women in AMA in our setting and the associated factors. Methods: This retrospective cohort study will be conducted in two healthcare facilities (ESS) in Kinshasa. The study population will consist of all women who delivered a single fetus after 28 weeks of gestation between January 2012 and December 2022 (10 years) in the selected ESS. The data collected will be analyzed using R software version 4.2.0. Quantitative variables will be summarized as means with standard deviation or medians with interquartile range. Qualitative variables will be presented as proportions (%). Multivariate logistic regression will be used to determine the main maternal-fetal complications associated with AMA and predictors of obstetric outcomes. P Discussion: The high maternal and infant mortality rates in DRC are among the highest in the world. The context of maternal age has become a topic of growing interest due to its potential implications for the health of women and newborns, it is crucial to identify the risk factors associated with obstetric outcomes by identifying obstetrical outcomes associated with advanced maternal age in the DRC. Many Congolese women tend to start their maternity journey at a relatively young age. However, there is also an emerging trend towards delayed childbearing, particularly in urban areas and among women with access to education and family planning services. Conclusion: The results of this study will enable us to update the frequency of AMA pregnancies in our environment. The socio-demographic and clinical profile of these pregnancies will be determined. The main maternal-fetal complications associated with AMA in our setting and the associated factors will be identified.

Treatment outcomes and adverse drug reactions among patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis receiving all-oral,long-term regimens:First record viewing report from Pakistan

Objective:To assess the effectiveness and adverse drug reactions of all-oral regimens for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.Methods:This retrospective study was conducted at 10 Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis sites in Punjab province of Pakistan.Patients receiving treatment for drug resistant tuberculosis from July 2019 to December 2020 with at least interim result i.e.6th month culture conversion or final outcomes(cured,complete,lost to follow-up,failure,death)available,were included in the study.Data was extracted from electronic data management system.For the reporting and management of adverse drug events,active tuberculosis drug safety monitoring and management was implemented across all sites.All the data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results:Out of 947 drug resistant tuberculosis patients included in this study,579(68%)of the patients had final outcomes available.Of these,384(67.9%)successfully completed their treatment.Out of 368(32%)patients who had their interim results available,all had their 6th month culture negative.Combining new medications was thought to result in serious adverse outcomes such as QT prolongation.However,this study did not record any severe adverse events among patients.Conclusions:All-oral regimens formulation guided by overall treatment effectiveness resulted in treatment outcomes comparable to those obtained with traditional injectable treatment.

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.

Minimum 10-year follow-up outcomes of arthroscopic Bankart’s repair with metallic anchors:Reliable results with low redislocation rates

BACKGROUND With stiff competition from alternative albeit more expensive counterparts,it has become important to establish the applicability of metallic anchors for shoulder instability in the modern era.This can be accomplished,in part,by analysing long-term outcomes.AIM To analyse minimum 10-year outcomes from 30 patients following arthroscopic anterior stabilisation using metallic anchors.METHODS Prospectively collected data from arthroscopic Bankart repairs performed using metal anchors during 2007P-2010 were retrospectively analysed in this singlesurgeon study.Comprehensive data collection included historical and clinical findings,dislocation details,operative specifics,and follow-up radiological and clinical findings including shoulder scores.The primary outcomes were patientreported scores(Constant,American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons[ASES],and Rowe scores)and pain and instability on a visual analogue scale(VAS).RESULTS A 3% recurrence rate of dislocation was noted at the final follow-up.Total constant scores at 10 years postoperatively measured between 76 and 100(mean 89)were significantly better than preoperative scores(mean 62.7).Congruous improvements were also noted in the Rowe and ASES scores and VAS at the 10-year review.CONCLUSION Reliable long-term outcomes with metallic anchors in surgery for shoulder instability can be expected.Our results provide additional evidence of their continued,cost-effective presence in the modern scenario.

Long-term effectiveness,outcomes and complications of bariatric surgery

Dietary imbalance and overeating can lead to an increasingly widespread disease-obesity.Aesthetic considerations aside,obesity is defined as an excess of adipose tissue that can lead to serious health problems and can predispose to a number of pathological changes and clinical diseases,including diabetes;hypertension;atherosclerosis;coronary artery disease and stroke;obstructive sleep apnea;depression;weight-related arthropathies and endometrial and breast cancer.A body weight 20%above ideal for age,gender and height is a severe health risk.Bariatric surgery is a set of surgical methods to treat morbid obesity when other treatments such as diet,increased physical activity,behavioral changes and drugs have failed.The two most common procedures currently used are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.This procedure has gained popularity recently and is generally considered safe and effective.Although current data show that perioperative mortality is low and better control of comorbidities and short-term complications is achieved,more randomized trials are needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of bariatric procedures.This review aims to synthesize and summarize the growing evidence on the long-term effectiveness,outcomes and complications of bariatric surgery.

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Following Cryotherapy, Thermal Ablation and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Treatment: A Pilot Study among Zambian Women

Background: Cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia treatments have become essential interventions to manage cervical lesions. Majority of the recipients of these treatments are women within the reproductive age group, who according to literature may be at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This pilot study is part of a study investigating adverse pregnancy outcomes among women who received Cryotherapy, Thermal ablation and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure compared to the untreated women in Zambia. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study analyzed records of 886 (n = 443 treated and n = 443 untreated) women aged 15 - 49 years. The women were either screened with Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid or treated for Cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia at the Adult Infectious Disease Centre between January 2010 and December 2020. Women meeting the criteria were identified using the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid screening records and telephone interviews to obtain the adverse pregnancy outcome experienced. Data were analysed using STATA version 16 to determine the prevalence and obtain frequency distribution of outcomes of interest. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression estimated odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes across the three treatments. Results: The respondents were aged 15 to 49 years. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed to be more prevalent in the treatment group (18.5%) compared to the untreated group (5.4%). Normal pregnancy outcomes were lower in the treated (46.3%;n = 443) than the untreated (53.7%;n = 443). The treated group accounted for the majority of abortions (85.2%), prolonged labour (85.7%) and low birth weight (80%), whereas, the untreated accounted for the majority of still births (72.7%). Women treated with cryotherapy (aOR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.32 - 4.49, p = 0.004), thermal ablation (aOR = 6.37, 95% CI = 0.99 - 41.2, p = 0.052) and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (aOR = 9.67, 95% CI = 2.17 - 43.1, p = 0.003) had two-, six- and ten-times higher odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes respectively, relative to women who required no treatment. Conclusion: Adverse pregnancy outcomes are prevalent among women who have received treatment in Zambia. The findings indicate that treating Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia has been linked to higher chances of experiencing abortion, delivering low birth weight babies and enduring prolonged labor that may result in a caesarean section delivery. Cervical neoplasia treatments, particularly Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, are associated with significantly increased odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is essential to include information about prior Cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia treatment outcomes in obstetric care.