Isr Med Assoc J
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Minimal Pilonidal Surgery vs. Common Wide Excision Operations: Better Well-Being and Comparable Recurrence Rates.
Pilonidal disease in the natal cleft is treated traditionally by a wide and deep excision of the affected area. There is growing awareness, however, to the advantages of minimally invasive surgeries. ⋯ Minimally invasive surgeries have the advantage of reducing the extent of surgical injury and preserving patient's quality of life. They should be the treatment of choice for primary pilonidal disease.
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There has been a general reduction over the last 20 years in the incidence within Israel of gastric cancer (GC). This has particularly been noted in the Jewish population with a slight increase in the incidence of cancer of the gastroesophageal junction among Jews of Sephardi origin. Given the diversity of individual ethnic subpopulations, the effects of GC incidence in second-generation immigrant Jews, particularly from high prevalence regions (e.g., the former Soviet Union, Iraq, and Iran), awaits determination. ⋯ We propose the establishment of a national GC management committee designed to collect demographic and oncological data in operable cases with the aim of recording and improving GC-specific outcomes. We believe that there is value in the development of a national surgical planning program, which oversees training and accreditation in a dynamic environment that favors the wider use of neoadjuvant therapies, minimally invasive surgery and routine extended (D2) lymphadenectomy. These changes should be supported by assessable enhanced recovery programs.
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Observational Study
Trephine Minimally Invasive Procedure for Pilonidal Sinus.
Pilonidal sinus is a chronic, inflammatory condition. Controversy exists regarding the best surgical management for pilonidal sinus, including the extent of excision and type of closure of the surgical wound. ⋯ The trephines technique has a significant long-term recurrence rate. Short-term advantages include low morbidity, enhanced recovery, and minimal to mild postoperative impairment to quality of life. The trephine procedure may be justified as a first treatment of pilonidal disease.
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Accuracy of the number and location of pathological lymph nodes (LNs) in the pathology report of a neck dissection (ND) is of vital importance. ⋯ At least 7.5% of ND reports were inaccurate in this investigation. The treating physician should be alert to red flags in the pathological report.
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Risk factors for severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection include old age, chronic illness, and neurological conditions. In contrast, high vitamin D levels are known to augment immune activity and to reduce the severity of viral infections. Recently, a possible association between the likelihood of COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 severity, and vitamin D blood levels was reported. ⋯ Pre-existing vitamin D supplementation may reinforce immunity and reduce COVID-19 severity in elderly psychiatric inpatients.