The British journal of surgery
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Pancreatic cancer has a very poor prognosis as most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage when curative treatments are not possible. Breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have shown potential as novel biomarkers to detect cancer. The aim of the study was to quantify differences in exhaled breath VOCs of patients with pancreatic cancers compared with cohorts without cancer. ⋯ Breath VOCs may distinguish patients with pancreatic cancer from those without cancer.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with resected hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is staged using the AJCC staging system. Numerous other prognostically important histopathological and demographic characteristics have been reported. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess statistically the effect of postresectional tumour characteristics on overall survival of patients undergoing attempted radical curative resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. ⋯ Several tumour biological variables not included in the seventh edition of the AJCC classification affect overall survival. These require incorporation into prognostic models to ensure a personalized approach to prognostication and treatment.
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Bullying, undermining behaviour and harassment (BUBH) have been reported in entertainment, politics and sport. Such behaviours may also be common in surgery, and are frequently associated with poor patient care and inferior outcomes. The aim was to define the prevalence and impact of this behaviour in the international surgical workplace, and to explore counterstrategies. ⋯ Bullying, undermining behaviour and harassment are highly prevalent within surgery, and extremely damaging to victims. There is little high-quality research into counterstrategies, although professionalism training using simulated scenarios may be useful.
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Proton pump inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, but are associated with ongoing costs and side-effects. Antireflux surgery is cost-effective and is preferred by many patients. A total (360o or Nissen) fundoplication is the traditional procedure, but other variations including partial fundoplications are also commonly performed, with the aim of achieving durable reflux control with minimal dysphagia. Many RCTs and some pairwise meta-analyses have compared some of these procedures but there is still uncertainty about which, if any, is superior. Network meta-analysis allows multiple simultaneous comparisons and robust synthesis of the available evidence in these situations. A network meta-analysis comparing all antireflux procedures was performed to identify which has the most favourable outcomes at short-term (3-12 months), medium-term (1-5 years) and long-term (10 years and more than 10 years) follow-up. ⋯ Posterior partial fundoplication provides the best balance of long-term, durable reflux control with less dysphagia, compared with other treatments.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Long-term prognostic impact of surgical complications in the German Rectal Cancer Trial CAO/ARO/AIO-94.
The influence of postoperative complications on survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing combined modality treatment is debatable. This study evaluated the impact of surgical complications on oncological outcomes in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated within the randomized CAO/ARO/AIO-94 (Working Group of Surgical Oncology/Working Group of Radiation Oncology/Working Group of Medical Oncology of the Germany Cancer Society) trial. ⋯ Surgical complications were associated with adverse oncological outcomes in this trial.