Systematic review and meta-analysis on the prophylactic role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis

AIM: To critically appraise the published randomized, controlled trials on the prophylactic effectiveness of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), in reducing the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) pancreatitis. METHODS: A systematic literature search(MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library, from inception of the databases until May 2015) was conducted to identify randomized, clinical trials investigating the role of NSAIDs in reducing the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Random effects model of the meta-analysis was carried out, and results were presented as odds ratios(OR) with corresponding 95%CI.RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled trials on 3378 patients were included in the final meta-analysis. There were 1718 patients in the NSAIDs group and 1660 patients in non-NSAIDs group undergoing ERCP. The use of NSAIDs(through rectal route or intramuscular route) was associated with the reduced risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis [OR, 0.52(0.38-0.72), P = 0.0001]. The use of pre-procedure NSAIDs was effective in reducing approximately 48% incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis, number needed to treat were 16 with absolute risk reduction of 0.05. But the risk of post-ERCP pancreattis was reduced by 55% if NSAIDs were administered after procedure. Similarly, diclofenac was more effective(55%) prophylactic agent compared to indomethacin(41%).CONCLUSION: NSAIDs seem to have clinically proven advantage of reducing the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Systematic review of oncological outcomes following laparoscopic vs open total mesorectal excision

AIM: To systematically analyze the randomized trials comparing the oncological and clinical effectiveness of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision(LTME) vs open total mesorectal excision(OTME) in the management of rectal cancer.METHODS: Published randomized, controlled trials comparing the oncological and clinical effectiveness of LTME vs OTME in the management of rectal cancer were retrieved from the standard electronic medical databases. The data of included randomized, controlled trials was extracted and then analyzed according to the principles of meta-analysis using RevMan? statistical software. The combined outcome of the binary variables was expressed as odds ratio(OR) and the combined outcome of the continuous variables waspresented in the form of standardized mean difference(SMD). RESULTS: Data from eleven randomized, controlled trials on 2143 patients were retrieved from the electronic databases. There was a trend towards the higher risk of surgical site infection(OR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.44-1.00; z = 1.94; P < 0.05), higher risk of incomplete total mesorectal resection(OR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.43-0.91; z = 2.49; P < 0.01) and prolonged length of hospital stay(SMD,-1.59; 95%CI:-0.86--0.25; z = 4.22; P < 0.00001) following OTME. However, the oncological outcomes like number of harvested lymph nodes, tumour recurrence and risk of positive resection margins were statistically similar in both groups. In addition, the clinical outcomes such as operative complications, anastomotic leak and all-cause mortality were comparable between both approaches of mesorectal excision.CONCLUSION: LTME appears to have clinically and oncologically measurable advantages over OTME in patients with primary rectal cancer in both short term and long term follow ups.

Robotic total meso-rectal excision for rectal cancer: A systematic review following the publication of the ROLARR trial

AIM To compare outcomes in patients undergoing rectal resection by robotic total meso-rectal excision(RTME) vs laparoscopic total meso-rectal excision(LTME).METHODS Standard medical electronic databases such as Pub-Med, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus were searched to find relevant articles. The data retrieved from all types of included published comparative trials in pati-ents undergoing RTME vs LTME was analysed using the principles of meta-analysis. The operative, post-operative and oncological outcomes were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of both techniques of TME. The summated outcome of continuous variables was expressed as standardized mean difference(SMD) and dichotomous data was presented in odds ratio(OR).RESULTS One RCT(ROLARR trial) and 27 other comparative studies reporting the non-oncological and oncological outcomes following RTME vs LTME were included in this review. In the random effects model analysis using the statistical software Review Manager 5.3, the RTME was associated with longer operation time(SMD, 0.46; 95%CI: 0.25, 0.67; z = 4.33; P = 0.0001), early passage of first flatus(P = 0.002), lower risk of conversion(P = 0.00001) and shorter hospitalization(P = 0.01). The statistical equivalence was seen between RTME and LTME for non-oncological variables like blo-od loss, morbidity, mortality and re-operation risk. The oncological variables such as recurrence(P = 0.96), number of harvested nodes(P = 0.49) and positive circumferential resection margin risk(P = 0.53) were also comparable in both groups. The length of distal resection margins was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION RTME is feasible and oncologically safe but failed to demonstrate any superiority over LTME for many sur-gical outcomes except early passage of flatus, lower risk of conversion and shorter hospitalization.

Systematic review of absorbable vs non-absorbable sutures used for the closure of surgical incisions

AIM: To report a systematic review of published randomized controlled trials(RCTs) investigating the role of absorbable suture(AS) against non-AS(NAS) used for the closure of surgical incisions.METHODS: RCTs investigating the use of AS vs NAS for the closure of surgical incisions were statistically analysed based upon the principles of meta-analysis and the summated outcomes were represented as OR.RESULTS: The systematic search of medical literature yielded 10 RCTs on 1354 patients. Prevalence of wound infection(OR = 0.97; 95%CI: 0.56, 1.69; Z = 0.11; P = 0.92) and operative morbidity(P = 0.45) was comparable in both groups. Nonetheless, the use of AS lead to lower risk of wound break-down(OR = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.39; Z = 3.52; P < 0.0004).CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis of 10 RCTs demonstrates that the use of AS is similar to NAS for skin closure for surgical site infection and other operative morbidities. AS do not increase the risk of skin wound dehiscence,rather lead to a reduced risk of wound dehiscence compared to NAS.

Factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy and management in acute surgical patients

AIM:To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy(DA) in acute surgical patients admitted to a District General Hospital.METHODS: The case notes of all acute surgical patients admitted under the surgical team for a period of two weeks were reviewed for the data pertaining to the admission diagnoses, relevant investigations and final diagnoses confirmed by either surgery or various other diagnostic modalities. The diagnostic pathway was recorded from the source of referral [general practitioner(GP), A and E, in-patient] to the correct final diagnosis by the surgical team. RESULTS: Forty-one patients(23 males) with acute surgical admissions during two weeks of study period were evaluated. The mean age of study group was 61.05 ± 23.24 years. There were 111 patient-doctor encounters. Final correct diagnosis was achieved in 85.4% patients. The DA was 46%, 44%, 50%, 33%,61%, 61%, and 75% by GP, A and E, in-patient referral, surgical foundation year-1, surgical senior house officer(SHO), surgical registrar, and surgical consultant respectively. The percentage of clinical consensus diagnosis was 12%. Surgery was performed in 48.8% of patients. Sixty-seven percent of GP-referred patients, 31% of A and E-referred, and 25% of the in-patient referrals underwent surgery. Surgical SHO made the most contributions to the primary diagnostic pathway.CONCLUSION: Approximately 85% of acute surgical patients can be diagnosed accurately along the diagnostic pathway. Patients referred by a GP are more likely to require surgery as compared to other referral sources. Surgical consultant was more likely to make correct surgical diagnosis, however it is the surgical SHO that contributes the most correct diagnoses along the diagnostic pathway.

Use of transanal minimally invasive surgery for endoscopic resection of rectal tumour:a technical note

Background:The aim of this article is to report and discuss a case of lower rectal cancer undergoing endoscopic transanal resection of tumour(ETART)using a transanal minimally invasive surgery(TAMIS)approach.Methods:A technical note on a case report.An innovative approach for ETART using TAMIS.Results:This is the first-ever case report of lower rectal cancer treated by ETART using a TAMIS approach.The procedure was completed successfully without any operative or peri-operative complication.Peri-operative flexible sigmoidoscopy confirmed a wide and patent rectal lumen.Conclusion:Use of a TAMIS approach for ETART to remove lower rectal cancer for palliation can be technically very effective compared with conventional ETART,due to the potential advantages of avoiding contaminant fluid spillage,easy access,better visualization compared with conventional ETART,and being user-friendly.The results from larger cohorts of patients undergoing TAMIS ETART are required before recommending the routine use of this technique.However,until then,this approach may be considered as an alternative to conventional ETART.

Limited segmental rectal resection in the treatment of deeply infiltrating rectal endometriosis:10 years’experience from a tertiary referral unit

Background.The management of symptomatic rectal endometriosis is a challenging condition that may necessitate limited stripping or limited segmental anterior rectal resection(LSARR)depending upon the extent and severity of the disease.Objective.To report the efficacy of LSARR in terms of pain,quality of life and short-and long-term complications—in particular,those pertaining to bowel function.Methods.The case notes of all patients undergoing LSARR were reviewed.The analysed variables included surgical complications,overall symptomatic improvement rate,dysmenorrhoea,dyspareunia,and dyschezia.Chronic pain was measured using a visual analogue scale.Quality of life was measured using the EQ-5D questionnaire.Bowel symptoms were assessed using the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre(MSKCC)questionnaire.Results.Seventy-four women who underwent LSARR by both open and laparoscopic approaches were included in this study.Sixty-nine(93.2%)women reported improvement in pain and the same percentage would recommend the similar procedure to a friend with the same problem.Approximately 42%of women who wished to conceive had at least one baby.The higher frequency of defecation was a problem in the early post-operative period but this settled in later stages without influencing the quality of life score.Post-operative complications were recorded in 14.9%of cases.Conclusions.LSARR for rectal endometriosis is associated with a high degree of symptomatic relief.Pain relief achieved following LSARR does not appear to degrade with time.As anticipated,some rectal symptoms persist in few patients after long-term follow-up but LSARR is nonetheless still associated with a very high degree of patient satisfaction.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials comparing purse-string vs conventional linear closure of the wound following ileostomy(stoma)closure

Objective:The objective of this article is to systematically analyse the randomized,controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of purse-string closure(PSC)of an ileostomy wound with conventional linear closure(CLC).Methods:Randomized,controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of purse-string closure vs conventional linear closure(CLC)of ileostomy wound in patients undergoing ileostomy closure were analysed using RevMan-,and the combined outcomes were expressed as risk ratio(RR)and standardized mean difference(SMD).Results:Three randomized,controlled trials,recruiting 206 patients,were retrieved from medical electronic databases.There were 105 patients in the PSC group and 101 patients in the CLC group.There was no heterogeneity among included trials.Duration of operation(SMD:-0.18;95%CI:-0.45,0.09;z=1.28;P<0.20)and length of hospital stay(SMD:0.01;95%CI:-0.26,0.28;z=0.07;P<0.95)was statistically similar following both approaches of ileostomy wound closure.The risk of surgical site infection(OR,0.10;95%CI:0.03,0.33;z=3.78;P<0.0001)was significantly reduced when ileostomy wound was closed using PSC technique.Conclusion:PSC technique for ileostomy wound is associated with a reduced risk of surgical site infection apparently without influencing the duration of operation and length of hospital stay.

小肠恶性黑色素瘤表现为空肠憩室穿孔:病例报告及文献复习

Although usually harmless and asymptomatic,jejuno-ileal diverticulae are associated with various non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms,and rarely cause surgical emergencies.This case report describes the presentation and management of a patient with an acute abdomen,whose jejunal diverticulum was perforated.Unexpectedly,histopathological assessment demonstrated malignant melanoma lining the diverticulum.Whether this was primary or metastatic is discussed,together with a synopsis of the literature on small bowel diverticulae.

Medium-term mortality after hip fractures and COVID-19:A prospective multicentre UK study

Purpose:The COVID-19 pandemic has caused 1.4 million deaths globally and is associated with a 3-4 times increase in 30-day mortality after a fragility hip fracture with concurrent COVID-19 infection.Typically,death from COVID-19 infection occurs between 15 and 22 days after the onset of symptoms,but this period can extend up to 8 weeks.This study aimed to assess the impact of concurrent COVID-19 infection on 120-day mortality after a fragility hip fracture.Methods:A multi-centre prospective study across 10 hospitals treating 8%of the annual burden of hip fractures in England between 1st March and 30th April,2020 was performed.Patients whose surgical treatment was payable through the National Health Service Best Practice Tariff mechanism for"fragility hip fractures"were included in the study.Patients'120-day mortality was assessed relative to their perioperative COVID-19 status.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 27.Results:A total of 746 patients were included in this study,of which 87(11.7%)were COVID-19 positive.Mortality rates at 30-and 120-day were significantly higher for COVID-19 positive patients relative to COVID-19 negative patients(p<0.001).However,mortality rates between 31 and 120-day were not significantly different(p=0.107),16.1%and 9.4%respectively for COVID-19 positive and negative patients,odds ratio 1.855(95%CI 0.865-3.978).Conclusion:Hip fracture patients with concurrent COVID-19 infection,provided that they are alive at day-31 after injury,have no significant difference in 120-day mortality.Despite the growing awareness and concern of "long-COVID"and its widespread prevalence,this does not appear to increase mediumterm mortality rates after a hip fracture.