Exploring ideal operative time for best outcomes in gastric cancer surgery:A multi-institutional study based on KLASS-07 database

Objective:While a rushed operation can omit essential procedures,prolonged operative time results in higher morbidity.Nevertheless,the optimal operative time range remains uncertain.This study aimed to estimate the ideal operative time range and evaluate its applicability in laparoscopic cancer surgery.Methods:A prospectively collected multicenter database of 397 patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy were retrospectively reviewed.The ideal operative time range was statistically calculated by separately analyzing the operative time of uneventful surgeries.Finally,intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared among the shorter,ideal,and longer operative time groups.Results:The statistically calculated ideal operative time was 135.4-165.4 min.The longer operative time(LOT)group had a lower rate of uneventful,perfect surgery than the ideal or shorter operative time(IOT/SOT)group(2.8%vs.8.8%and 2.2%vs.13.4%,all P<0.05).Longer operative time increased bleeding,postoperative morbidities,and delayed diet and discharge(all P<0.05).Particularly,an uneventful,perfect surgery could not be achieved when the operative time exceeded 240 min.Regardless of ideal time range,SOT group achieved the highest percentage of uneventful surgery(13.4%),which was possible by surgeon's ability to retrieve a higher number of lymph nodes and perform≥150 gastrectomies annually.Conclusions:Operative time longer than the ideal time range(especially≥240 min)should be avoided.If the essential operative procedure were faithfully conducted without compromising oncological safety,an operative time shorter than the ideal range leaded to a better prognosis.Efforts to minimize operative time should be attempted with sufficient surgical experience.

Indocyanine green:The guide to safer and more effective surgery

In this editorial we comment on the article by Kalayarasan and co-workers published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.The authors present an interesting review on the use of indocyanine green fluo-rescence in different aspects of abdominal surgery.They also highlight future perspectives of the use of indocyanine green in mini-invasive surgery.Indo-cyanine green,used for fluorescence imaging,has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is safe for use in humans.It can be administered in-travenously or intra-arterially.Since its advent,there have been several advance-ments in the applications of indocyanine green,especially in the surgical field,such as intraoperative mapping and biopsy of sentinel lymph node,measurement of hepatic function prior to resection,in neurosurgical cases to detect vascular anomalies,in cardiovascular cases for patency and assessment of vascular ab-normalities,in predicting healing following amputations,in helping visualization of hepatobiliary anatomy and blood vessels,in reconstructive surgery,to assess flap viability and for the evaluation of tissue perfusion following major trauma and burns.For these reasons,the intraoperative use of indocyanine green has become common in a variety of surgical specialties and transplant surgery.Co-lorectal surgery has just lately begun to adopt this technique,particularly for perfusion visualization to prevent anastomotic leakage.The regular use of in-docyanine green coupled with fluorescence angiography has recently been pro-posed as a feasible tool to help improve patient outcomes.Using the best available data,it has been shown that routine use of indocyanine green in colorectal surgery reduces the rates of anastomotic leak.The use of indocyanine green is proven to be safe,feasible,and effective in both elective and emergency scenarios.However,additional robust evidence from larger-scale,high-quality studies is essential before incorporating indocyanine green guided surgery into standard practice.

Foot and ankle surgery:Tourniquet placement site to cause as little postoperative pain as possible

There is controversy in the literature on where to place the tourniquet(thigh,calf,ankle)for foot and ankle surgery.While some authors prefer the ankle tourniquet to the calf tourniquet,others state that the surgeon can decide between using the thigh tourniquet or the ankle tourniquet,since there was no difference in postoperative pain between them.Where to place the tourniquet during foot and ankle surgery to cause the least possible postoperative pain to the patient as a result of the tourniquet is a common question in clinical practice.The reality is that,unfortunately,there is no consensus on this issue.Perhaps the only possible way to answer this question would be to conduct a comparative study with sufficient statistical power to reach scientifically sound conclusions.It does not seem easy to carry out such a study,but it would be important to be able to answer the question posed in the title of this Editorial once and for all.

Impact of frailty on short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is a major global health challenge that predominantly affects older people.Surgical management,despite advancements,requires careful consideration of preoperative patient status for optimal outcomes.AIM To summarize existing evidence on the association of frailty with short-term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.METHODS A literature search was conducted using PubMed,EMBASE and Scopus databases for observational studies in adult patients aged≥18 years undergoing planned or elective colorectal surgery for primary carcinoma and/or secondary metastasis.Only studies that conducted frailty assessment using recognized frailty assess-ment tools and had a comparator group,comprising nonfrail patients,were included.Pooled effect sizes were reported as weighted mean difference or relative risk(RR)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs).RESULTS A total of 24 studies were included.Compared with nonfrail patients,frailty was associated with an increased risk of mortality at 30 d(RR:1.99,95%CI:1.47-2.69),at 90 d(RR:4.76,95%CI:1.56-14.6)and at 1 year(RR:5.73,95%CI:2.74-12.0)of follow up.Frail patients had an increased risk of any complications(RR:1.81,95%CI:1.57-2.10)as well as major complications(Clavien-Dindo classification grade≥III)(RR:2.87,95%CI:1.65-4.99)compared with the control group.The risk of reoperation(RR:1.18,95%CI:1.07-1.31),readmission(RR:1.70,95%CI:1.36-2.12),need for blood transfusion(RR:1.67,95%CI:1.52-1.85),wound complications(RR:1.49,95%CI:1.11-1.99),delirium(RR:4.60,95%CI:2.31-9.16),risk of prolonged hospitalization(RR:2.09,95%CI:1.22-3.60)and discharge to a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation center(RR:3.19,95%CI:2.0-5.08)was all higher in frail patients.CONCLUSION Frailty in colorectal cancer surgery patients was associated with more complications,longer hospital stays,higher reoperation risk,and increased mortality.Integrating frailty assessment appears crucial for tailored surgical management.

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.

Treatment of Operative Pain in Visceral Cancer Surgery at CHU Gabriel Toure

The objectives were to determine the frequency of pain in cancer patients and its intensity in cancer pathologies and to evaluate the evolution of pain intensity after analgesic treatment;the effectiveness of its management study involved 121 cases of operated gastrointestinal cancers, which accounted for 85.82% (141) of operated cancers and 16.78% (721) of all operated patients;the average age of our patients was 49.93 years with extremes 17 and 78 years. Standard deviation: 15.75;with a sex ratio of 1.46. The majority of our patients had WHO III (54/121) or 44.6%;46.3% (56/121) of patients were in stage IV of the TNM classification. The main digestive cancers were cancer of the esophagus 4 cases (3.3%);of the stomach 61 cases (50.4%);of the pancreas 7 cases (5.8%);of the liver 4 cases (3.3%);gall bladder 2 cases (1.6%);colon 33 cases (27.3%);rectum 6 cases (4.9%) and hail 4 cases (3.3%). The average pain intensities were 3 to 6 hour;2 to 24 hour;1.6 to 48 hour;and 1.2 to 72 hour. The majority of our patients had a treatment protocol involving nefopam, and paracetamol was 58%. The pain was exacerbated especially during exercise. Vomiting and vein burning were the main side effects encountered.

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.

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.

Effect of preoperative inspiratory muscle training on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent disease worldwide and places a great burden on the health and economic welfare of patients.Cardiac surgery is an important way to treat cardiovascular disease,but it can prolong mechanical ventilation time,intensive care unit(ICU)stay,and postoperative hospitalization for patients.Previous studies have demonstrated that preoperative inspiratory muscle training could decrease the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.AIM To explore the effect of preoperative inspiratory muscle training on mechanical ventilation time,length of ICU stay,and duration of postoperative hospitalization after cardiac surgery.METHODS A literature search of PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,EMBASE,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,WanFang,and the China Science and Technology journal VIP database was performed on April 13,2022.The data was independently extracted by two authors.The inclusion criteria were:(1)Randomized controlled trial;(2)Accessible as a full paper;(3)Patients who received cardiac surgery;(4)Preoperative inspiratory muscle training was implemented in these patients;(5)The study reported at least one of the following:Mechanical ventilation time,length of ICU stay,and/or duration of postoperative hospitalization;and(6)In English language.RESULTS We analyzed six randomized controlled trials with a total of 925 participants.The pooled mean difference of mechanical ventilation time was-0.45 h[95%confidence interval(CI):-1.59-0.69],which was not statistically significant between the intervention group and the control group.The pooled mean difference of length of ICU stay was 0.44 h(95%CI:-0.58-1.45).The pooled mean difference of postoperative hospitalization was-1.77 d in the intervention group vs the control group[95%CI:-2.41-(-1.12)].CONCLUSION Preoperative inspiratory muscle training may decrease the duration of postoperative hospitalization for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.More high-quality studies are needed to confirm our conclusion.

Implementation and achievements of enhanced recovery after surgery program in perioperative management of gastric cancer patients

Objective:The enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)program is less implemented in gastric cancer patients.The purpose of this survey is to investigate the implementation status of ERAS in perioperative period in gastric cancer.Methods:This clinical observational study enrolled 329 patients between January 2020 and August 2020 in a single gastric cancer center.The questionnaire consisted of 4 par ts:basic information,preoperative status,intraoperative status,and postoperative status of ERAS implementation in gastric cancer surgery.Results:In the preoperative period,patients'education and counseling(100%)were well adopted.Smoking cessation(34.6%),drinking cessation(36.9%),avoidance of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation(24.3%),respiratory function training(11.2%),and administration of carbohydrate-rich drink before surgery(0.6%)were relatively not well adopted.During the operation,maintenance of intraoperative normothermia and fluid management(100%),as well as epidural analgesia(81.5%),were well adopted.Thromboprophylaxis was performed in 133(40.4%)patients.In the postoperative period,early active mobilization was implemented about 9.5 h,and early ambulation was implemented about 39.5 h,after surgery.A total of 140(42.5%)patients received prolonged prophylactic antibiotics;268(81.5%)patients were provided diet upon gas passage;and 320(97.3%)patients received intravenous fluid administration more than 5 d after surgery.The practice rate of early removal of urinary catheter(0%)and nasogastric tube(15.5%)was relatively low.A total of 11(3.3%)patients experienced postoperative complication,and 1(0.3%)patient received unplanned reoperation.The average costs were￥59,500,and the average hospital stay was 12(5,36)d.Conclusions:Standard perioperative management of ERAS program in gastric cancer surgery in China still requires improvement.

Modified physiological and operative score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity risk assessment model in general surgery

AIM: To establish a scoring system for predicting the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality in general surgery based on the physiological and operative severity score for the enumeration of mortality and morbidity (POSSUM), and to evaluate its efficacy. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with postoperative complications or death and 172 patients without postoperative complications, who underwent surgery in our department during the previous 2 years, were retrospectively analyzed by logistic regression. Fifteen indexes were investigated including age, cardiovascular function, respiratory function, blood test results, endocrine function, central nervous system function, hepatic function, renal function, nutritional status, extent of operative trauma, and course of anesthesia. Modified POSSUM (M-POSSUM) was developed using significant risk factors with its efficacy evaluated. RESULTS: The significant risk factors were found to be age, cardiovascular function, respiratory function, hepatic function, renal function, blood test results, endocrine function, nutritional status, duration of operation, intraoperative blood loss, and course of anesthesia. These factors were all included in the scoring system. There were significant differences in the scores between the patients with and without postoperative complications, between the patients died and survived with complications, and between the patients died and survived without complications. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the M-POSSUM could accurately predict postoperative complications and mortality.CONCLUSION: M-POSSUM correlates well with postoperative complications and mortality, and is more accurate than POSSUM.

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.

Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision during Surgery: Discussing Laparoscopic Images with ChatGPT4—Preliminary Results

Introduction: Ultrafast latest developments in artificial intelligence (ΑΙ) have recently multiplied concerns regarding the future of robotic autonomy in surgery. However, the literature on the topic is still scarce. Aim: To test a novel AI commercially available tool for image analysis on a series of laparoscopic scenes. Methods: The research tools included OPENAI CHATGPT 4.0 with its corresponding image recognition plugin which was fed with a list of 100 laparoscopic selected snapshots from common surgical procedures. In order to score reliability of received responses from image-recognition bot, two corresponding scales were developed ranging from 0 - 5. The set of images was divided into two groups: unlabeled (Group A) and labeled (Group B), and according to the type of surgical procedure or image resolution. Results: AI was able to recognize correctly the context of surgical-related images in 97% of its reports. For the labeled surgical pictures, the image-processing bot scored 3.95/5 (79%), whilst for the unlabeled, it scored 2.905/5 (58.1%). Phases of the procedure were commented in detail, after all successful interpretations. With rates 4 - 5/5, the chatbot was able to talk in detail about the indications, contraindications, stages, instrumentation, complications and outcome rates of the operation discussed. Conclusion: Interaction between surgeon and chatbot appears to be an interesting frontend for further research by clinicians in parallel with evolution of its complex underlying infrastructure. In this early phase of using artificial intelligence for image recognition in surgery, no safe conclusions can be drawn by small cohorts with commercially available software. Further development of medically-oriented AI software and clinical world awareness are expected to bring fruitful information on the topic in the years to come.

Results of the First 10 Cases of Coronary Bypass Surgery in Senegal

This is a review of the first 10 coronary artery bypass surgeries performed by the local team. The mean age was 62 years old [45 - 74]. The patients were predominantly male, with a M/F ratio of 4:1. Cardiovascular risk factors were mainly myocardial infarction (MI) (60%), hypertension (50%), obesity (40%) and diabetes (30%), with at least two risk factors per patient. Angina was the main symptom (80%). The average time from presentation to surgery was 8 months. The mean Euroscore 2 was 2.92 ± 1.65 [1.33 - 6.60]. Coronary angiography revealed an average of 2 lesions per patient, with 3-vessel involvement in 70% of cases: the Interventricular artery (IVA) (100%), the right coronary artery (90%) and the circumflex artery (70%). On echocardiography, the mean Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 59% [33% - 76%]. All patients underwent median sternotomy with bypass grafting. The average duration of the cardiopulmonary bypass was 150 min [46 - 275 min];that of aortic clamping, 120 min [43 - 232 min]. The grafts used were internal thoracic artery (ITA) in 100% of cases (80% on the left and 20% on the right), and the great saphenous vein (GSV) in 60% of cases (50% on the left and 10 on the right). Double bypass was performed in 60% of cases, single bypass in 30% and triple bypass in 10%. The bypasses were performed on the IVA (100%), the middle lateral of the circumflex (30%) and the bisector (20%). The average time to extubation was 11 hours and the length of stay in the intensive care unit was 7 days [03 - 17 days]. One patient had a reoperation on Day 0 post-op. The average hospital stay was 13 days [06 - 27 days]. Complications occurred in nine of the patients (90%), with a predominance of infectious and neurological complications. Overall operative mortality was 3%, all in intensive care.

Don’t forget emergency surgery! Lessons to learn from elective indocyanine green-guided gastrointestinal interventions

Fluorescence-based imaging has found application in several fields of elective surgery,but there is still a lack of evidence in the literature about its use in the emergency setting.Clinical trials have consistently shown that indocyanine green(ICG)-guided surgery can dramatically reduce the risk of postoperative complic-ations,length of in-hospital stay and total healthcare costs in the elective setting.It is well-known that emergency surgery has a higher complication rate than its elective counterpart,therefore an impelling need for research studies to explore,validate and develop this issue has been highlighted.The present editorial aims to provide a critical overview of currently available applications and pitfalls of ICG fluorescence in abdominal emergencies.Furthermore,we evidenced how the experience of ICG-fluorescence in elective surgery might be of great help in implementing its use in acute situations.In the first paragraph we analyzed the tips and tricks of ICG-guided cancer surgery that might be exploited in acute cases.We then deepened the two most described topics in ICG-guided emergency surgery:Acute cholecystitis and intestinal ischemia,focusing on both the advantages and limitations of green-fluorescence application in these two fields.In emergency situations,ICG fluorescence demonstrates a promising role in preventing undue intestinal resections or their entity,facilitating the detection of intestinal ischemic zones,identifying biliary tree anatomy,reducing post-operative complications,and mitigating high mortality rates.The need to improve its application still exists,therefore we strongly believe that the elective and routinary use of the dye is the best way to acquire the necessary skills for emer-gency procedures.

Incidence of surgical site infection in minimally invasive colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND Surgical site infection(SSI)is a common complication of colorectal surgery.Minimally invasive surgery notably reduces the incidence of SSI.This study aimed to compare the incidences of SSI after robot-assisted colorectal surgery(RACS)vs that after laparoscopic assisted colorectal surgery(LACS)and to analyze associated risk factors for SSI in minimally invasive colorectal surgery.AIM To compare the incidences of SSI after RACS and LACS,and to analyze the risk factors associated with SSI after minimally invasive colorectal surgery.METHODS Clinical data derived from patients who underwent minimally invasive colorectal surgery between October 2020 and October 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were collated.Differences in clinical characteristics and surgeryrelated information associated with RACS and LACS were compared,and possible risk factors for SSI were identified.RESULTS A total of 246 patients(112 LACS and 134 RACS)were included in the study.Fortythree(17.5%)developed SSI.The proportions of patients who developed SSI were similar in the two groups(17.9%vs 17.2%,P=0.887).Diabetes mellitus,intraoperative blood loss≥100 mL,and incision length were independent risk factors for SSI.Possible additional risk factors included neoadjuvant therapy,lesion site,and operation time.CONCLUSION There was no difference in SSI incidence in the RACS and LACS groups.Diabetes mellitus,intraoperative blood loss≥100 mL,and incision length were independent risk factors for postoperative SSI.

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.

First experience in laparoscopic surgery in low and middle income countries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic surgery has reduced morbidity and mortality rates,shorter post-operative recovery periods and lower complication rates than open surgery.It is routine practice in high-income countries and is becoming increasingly common in countries with limited resources.However,introducing laparoscopic surgery in low-and-middle-income countries(LMIC)can be expensive and requires resour-ces,equipment,and trainers.AIM To report the challenges and benefits of introducing laparoscopic surgery in LMIC as well as to identify solutions to these challenges for countries with limited finances and resources.METHODS MEDLINE,EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for studies reporting first experience in laparoscopic surgery in LMIC.Included studies were published between 1996 and 2022 with full text available in English.Exclusion criteria were studies considering only open surgery,ear,nose,and throat,endoscopy,arthro-scopy,hysteroscopy,cystoscopy,transplant,or bariatric surgery.RESULTS Ten studies out of 3409 screened papers,from eight LMIC were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis,totaling 2497 patients.Most reported challenges were related to costs of equipment and training programmes,equipment pro-blems such as faulty equipment,and access to surgical kits.Training-related challenges were reliance on foreign trainers and lack of locally trained surgeons and theatre staff.The benefits of introducing laparoscopic surgery were economic and clinical,including a reduction in hospital stay,complications,and morbidi-ty/mortality.The introduction of laparoscopic surgery also provided training opportunities for junior doctors.CONCLUSION Despite financial and technical challenges,many studies emphasise the overall benefit of introducing laparoscopic surgery in LMICs such as reduced hospital stay and the related lower cost for patients.While many of the clinical centres in LMICs have proposed practical solutions to the challenges reported,more support is critically required,in particular regarding training.

Microstructural morphology and visual acuity outcome in eyes with epiretinal membrane before,during,and after membrane peeling in intraoperative optical coherence tomography assisted macular surgery

AIM:To measure the difference of intraoperative central macular thickness(CMT)before,during,and after membrane peeling and investigate the influence of intraoperative macular stretching on postoperative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)outcome and postoperative CMT development.METHODS:A total of 59 eyes of 59 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery for epiretinal membrane was analyzed.Videos with intraoperative optical coherence tomography(OCT)were recorded.Difference of intraoperative CMT before,during,and after peeling was measured.Pre-and postoperatively obtained BCVA and spectral-domain OCT images were analyzed.RESULTS:Mean age of the patients was 70±8.13y(range 46-86y).Mean baseline BCVA was 0.49±0.27 log MAR(range 0.1-1.3).Three and six months postoperatively the mean BCVA was 0.36±0.25(P=0.01 vs baseline)and 0.38±0.35(P=0.08 vs baseline)log MAR respectively.Mean stretch of the macula during surgery was 29%from baseline(range 2%-159%).Intraoperative findings of macular stretching did not correlate with visual acuity outcome within 6mo after surgery(r=-0.06,P=0.72).However,extent of macular stretching during surgery significantly correlated with less reduction of CMT at the fovea centralis(r=-0.43,P<0.01)and 1 mm nasal and temporal from the fovea(r=-0.37,P=0.02 and r=-0.50,P<0.01 respectively)3mo postoperatively.CONCLUSION:The extent of retinal stretching during membrane peeling may predict the development of postoperative central retinal thickness,though there is no correlation with visual acuity development within the first 6mo postoperatively.