The British journal of surgery
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Comparative Study
Morphometric analysis and lymph node yield in laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision performed by supervised trainees.
Complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation (CME) produces an optimal colonic cancer specimen. The ability of expert laparoscopic surgeons to produce equivalent specimens is unknown. ⋯ Laparoscopic CME can be performed to the same standard as open surgery by supervised trainees. However, this did not increase the lymph node yield.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of endoscopic therapy for low-grade dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus.
The optimal management of patients with Barrett's-associated low-grade dysplasia (LGD) is unclear. The objective of this study was to identify systematically all reports of endoscopic treatment of LGD, and to assess outcomes in terms of disease progression, eradication of dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia, and complication rates. ⋯ Reports of endoscopic therapy were heterogeneous and follow-up periods were short. There is a high likelihood of historical overdiagnosis of LGD. Endoscopic therapy, particularly radiofrequency ablation, appears safe and effective at eradicating LGD, but does not eliminate the risk of progression to cancer.
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Total mesorectal excision (TME) remains commonplace for T1-2 rectal cancer owing to fear of undertreating a small proportion of patients with node-positive disease. Molecular stratification may predict cancer progression. It could be used to select patients for organ-preserving surgery if specific biomarkers were validated. ⋯ This methylation biomarker panel provides a step towards accurate discrimination of indolent and aggressive rectal cancer subtypes. This could offer an improvement over the current standard of care, whereby fit patients are offered radical surgery.
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Comparative Study
Outcomes after endovascular or open repair for degenerative descending thoracic aortic aneurysm using linked hospital data.
The population-based effectiveness of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) versus open surgery for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm remains in doubt. ⋯ In England, operative mortality for degenerative descending thoracic aneurysm was similar after either TEVAR or open repair. Patients who had TEVAR appeared to have a higher reintervention rate and worse long-term survival, possibly owing to cardiopulmonary morbidity and other selection bias.
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It is unclear whether recommendations about ultrasound screening programmes for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) among men should be extended to include women who smoke. The aim was to examine sex-specific dose-response associations between AAA risk and smoking status, pack-years smoked and time since smoking cessation. ⋯ There were sex differences in the associations between smoking status and AAA risk. These data support further investigation of targeted AAA screening among women who smoke.