Surgery
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Previous studies have shown that 5-14% of patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for suspected malignancy ultimately are diagnosed with benign disease. A "pancreatic mass" on computed tomography (CT) is considered to be the strongest predictor of malignancy, but studies describing its diagnostic value are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of a pancreatic mass on CT in patients with presumed pancreatic cancer, as well as the interobserver agreement among radiologists and the additional value of reassessment by expert-radiologists. ⋯ Clinicians need to be aware of potential considerable disagreement among radiologists about the presence of a pancreatic mass. The specificity for malignancy doubled by expert radiologist reassessment when a uniform definition of "pancreatic mass" was used.
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The best surgeons demonstrate skills beyond those required for the performance of technically competent surgery. These skills are described under the term nontechnical skills. Failure in these domains has been associated with adverse events inside the operating room. These nontechnical skills are not learned commonly in a structured manner during surgery training. The main purpose of this study was to explore the effects of participation in simulation-based training, either as a sole strategy or as part of a combined approach on surgeons and surgical trainees nontechnical skills performance in simulation environment. ⋯ This study provides evidence that formal training in nontechnical skills is feasible and can impact positively participants' nontechnical performance in a simulated environment. The addition of a 1-day didactic workshop does not seem to provide additional benefit over simulation-based training as a sole strategy for nontechnical skills training.
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Parenchyma-sparing pancreatectomies, especially enucleations, could avoid disappointing functional results associated with standard resections for benign/low-grade pancreatic neoplasms. This study aimed to assess short- and long-term outcomes in a large, single-center series of enucleations. ⋯ Enucleation is associated with substantial morbidity, especially pancreatic fistula. Enucleations as an alternative to standard resection are best indicated for small, benign, and low-grade lesions located far from the main pancreatic duct. Enucleations should be proposed to young and fit patients able to tolerate postoperative morbidity and who could benefit from the excellent long-term results.
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The world's poorest 2 billion people, benefit from no more than about 3.5% of the world's operative procedures. The burden of surgical disease is greatest in Africa, where operations could save many lives. Previous facility-based studies have described operative procedure caseloads, but prospective studies investigating interventions, indications and perioperative mortality rates (POMR), are rare. ⋯ The volume of surgery was low relative to the size of the catchment population. The POMR was high. Exploratory laparotomy and caesarean section were identified as high-risk procedures. Increased availability of blood, improved perioperative monitoring, and early intervention could be part of a solution to reduce the POMR.
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Recently, the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery presented a consensus statement on the definition of an extended pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Because extended resections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prognostic factors for outcome are mandatory to optimize patient selection. The aim of this study was to apply the new definition of an extended PD and to assess prognostic factors for short-term complications and survival in patients with PDAC. ⋯ Extended PD is associated with worse survival but not with increased morbidity.