International journal of surgery
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Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) has been used as a tumor marker in the follow-up of colorectal cancer for more than 40 years. Controversy exists regarding its diagnostic applicability due to a relatively low sensitivity and a questionable effect on mortality. The aim of this review was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CEA in detecting recurrence after intended curative surgery for primary colorectal cancer. ⋯ Results point toward a sensitivity of CEA ranging between 50 % and 80 %, and a specificity and negative predictive value above 80 %. Results on positive predictive value showed low reliability. Overall, CEA did not effectively detect treatable recurrences at an early stage, and a clinically relevant effect on patient mortality remains to be proven.
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Comparative Study
Nationwide analysis of short-term surgical outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy for malignancy.
Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is being increasingly utilized for esophageal cancer. It is unclear if MIE if being safely performed with satisfactory outcomes across the USA. We aimed to analyze the short-term surgical outcomes of MIE as compared to open esophagectomy (OE). ⋯ MIE is being offered more frequently to patients with esophageal cancer, and maybe accompanied with better short-term outcomes including shorter hospital stay when compared to open esophagectomy.
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Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common acute presenting complaint to hospital. Unlike upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach is not well-standardised. Intensive monitoring and urgent interventions are essential for patients with severe LGIB. The aim of this study is to investigate factors that predict severe LGIB and develop a clinical predictor tool to accurately triage LGIB in the emergency department of a busy metropolitan teaching hospital. ⋯ We have developed a clinical prediction tool for severe LGIB in our population with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 88% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 44% respectively. We aim to validate the clinical prediction tool in a further cohort to ensure stability of the multivariate model.
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Chronic muscle pain syndrome is one of the main causes of musculoskeletal pathologies requiring treatment. Many terms have been used in the past to describe painful muscular syndromes in the absence of evident local nociception such as myogelosis, muscle hardening, myalgia, muscular rheumatism, fibrositis or myofascial trigger point with or without referred pain. If it persists over six months or more, it often becomes therapy resistant and frequently results in chronic generalized pain, characterized by a high degree of subjective suffering. ⋯ Many treatments options have been described for muscle pain syndrome, with differing evidence of efficacy. Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment (ESWT) offers a new and promising treatment for muscular disorders. We will review the existing bibliography on the evidence of the efficacy of ESWT for MPS, paying particular attention to MTP (Myofascial Trigger Point) and Fibromyalgia (FM).
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The importance of nursing for surgical patients has been frequently underestimated. The success of enhanced recovery programs after surgery (ERAS) depends on preferably complete fulfillment of the protocol and nurses are an important part of it. Due to the additional nursing action required, such protocols are suspected to increase the nursing workload. The aim of the present study was to observe and measure objectively nursing workload before, during and after systematic implementation of a comprehensive enhanced recovery pathway in colorectal surgery. ⋯ Nursing workload is--against a common belief--decreased by systematic implementation of enhance recovery protocol. The higher the compliance with the pathway, the lower the burden for the nurses!