Publications by authors named "Isaac Seow-En"

Background: Extremes of body weight may be associated with poorer outcomes after colorectal surgery (CRS). We aimed to compare perioperative results and healthcare costs across the full range of body mass index (BMI) categories in an Asian cohort following CRS.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using the American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Programme (ACS-NSQIP) Participant Use Data File to identify patients ≥18 years old who underwent major elective CRS between January 2018 and December 2023.

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Background: Natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) via the anus or vagina is an alternative to conventional transabdominal extraction. We aimed to evaluate the safety and outcomes of NOSE following colorectal surgery in obese Asian patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection with NOSE for non-metastatic cancer or benign disease between February 2021 to October 2023.

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Background: Despite increasing interest in Turnbull-Cutait pull-through delayed coloanal anastomosis (DCAA) for low rectal cancer, its advantages over conventional immediate coloanal anastomosis (ICAA) with a diverting stoma remain unclear. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between DCAA and ICAA after elective total mesorectal excision for low rectal cancer.

Study Design: This international, multicenter, retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent elective minimally invasive total mesorectal excision with hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (ICAA or DCAA) for primary low rectal adenocarcinoma.

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Application of machine learning (ML) on cancer-specific pharmacogenomic datasets shows immense promise for identifying predictive response biomarkers to enable personalized treatment. We introduce CAN-Scan, a precision oncology platform, which applies ML on next-generation pharmacogenomic datasets generated from a freeze-viable biobank of patient-derived primary cell lines (PDCs). These PDCs are screened against 84 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs at clinically relevant doses (C), focusing on colorectal cancer (CRC) as a model system.

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Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in those aged 50 years and above have decreased over the past 2 decades. However, there is a rising incidence of CRC among individuals under 50 years of age, termed early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). Patients with EOCRC are diagnosed at an advanced stage and may be in more psychosocial, emotional, and financial distress.

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Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) for colorectal cancer utilizes transvaginal access for bowel mobilization, vascular pedicle ligation, oncological resection, and bowel anastomosis, along with subsequent transvaginal natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE), reducing or eliminating the need for transabdominal access. In this report, we describe the technique of vNOTES right hemicolectomy for cecal cancer, with intracorporeal anastomosis and transvaginal NOSE, including a step-by-step operative video. The patient was a 59-year-old Chinese female (body mass index 32.

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Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with D3 lymphadenectomy for colon cancer has been shown to improve overall as well as disease-free survival compared to conventional right hemicolectomy. Performing a laparoscopic CME/D3 right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis (ICA) can be technically demanding even for experienced operators. Here, we present a systematic, standardized approach to the surgery.

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Article Synopsis
  • NOSE is a safe and effective alternative to traditional methods for removing specimens during laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, leading to less pain and quicker recovery.
  • The study involved four patients who underwent simultaneous colectomy and liver metastasectomy using NOSE between July 2022 and April 2024, with promising results including clear resection margins and recovery of gastrointestinal function within two days.
  • This approach may be beneficial for selected patients, indicating potential for broader use in colorectal cancer surgeries.
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Background: Fecal incontinence has a devastating impact on quality of life and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. Best medical therapy, including biofeedback therapy, improves mild symptoms with minimal impact on moderate to severe symptoms. Surgical management for incontinence carries a degree of morbidity, resulting in low uptake and acceptability.

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Over-consumption of iron-rich red meat and hereditary or genetic iron overload are associated with an increased risk of colorectal carcinogenesis, yet the mechanistic basis of how metal-mediated signaling leads to oncogenesis remains enigmatic. Using fresh colorectal cancer samples we identify Pirin, an iron sensor, that overcomes a rate-limiting step in oncogenesis, by reactivating the dormant human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) subunit of the telomerase holoenzyme in an iron-(Fe3+)-dependent manner and thereby drives colorectal cancers. Chemical genetic screens combined with isothermal dose-response fingerprinting and mass spectrometry identified a small molecule SP2509 that specifically inhibits Pirin-mediated hTERT reactivation in colorectal cancers by competing with iron-(Fe3+) binding.

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Aim: Natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) is an alternative to conventional transabdominal retrieval. We aimed to compare outcomes following transvaginal specimen extraction (TVSE) and transabdominal specimen extraction (TASE) in minimally invasive abdominal surgery.

Methods: An electronic database search of PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL was performed from inception until March 2023.

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Minimally invasive abdominal surgery (MAS) can exert a physical cost. Surgical trainees spend years assisting minimally-invasive surgeries, increasing the risk of workplace injury. This prospective questionnaire-based cohort study was conducted amongst general surgery residents in Singapore.

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Purpose: We compared the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among Asian populations with localized colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection with and without the use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis (PTP).

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify relevant studies published from January 1, 1980 to February 28, 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent primary tumor resection for localized nonmetastatic colorectal cancer; an Asian population or studies conducted in an Asian country; randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, or cohort studies; and the incidence of symptomatic VTE, deep vein thrombosis, and/or pulmonary embolism as the primary study outcomes.

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Article Synopsis
  • The systematic review aimed to compare short-term postoperative outcomes for colorectal cancer patients undergoing a prehabilitation program versus standard care before surgery.
  • A total of seven studies involving 1,042 patients were analyzed, but no significant differences were found in postoperative complications, hospital stays, or readmission rates between the two groups.
  • The conclusion suggests that while prehabilitation does not seem to enhance short-term outcomes, the evidence is limited, indicating the need for larger-scale trials to assess its long-term effects.
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Background: Oncological outcomes of stenting as a bridge to surgery (SBTS) remain a major concern, despite perioperative benefits it offers. This study aims to evaluate the differences in recurrence patterns and survival in patients with non-metastatic, obstructing left sided colon cancers treated by SBTS versus upfront emergency surgery (ES).

Methods: This is a retrospective, single-centre cohort study of 227 consecutive patients with non-metastatic, obstructing left sided colon cancer between 2007 and 2016.

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Background: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a dynamic reflection of heart rhythm regulation by various physiological inputs. HRV deviations have been found to correlate with clinical outcomes in patients under physiological stresses. Perioperative cardiovascular complications occur in up to 5% of adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery and are associated with significantly increased mortality.

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Aim: Natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) in left-sided colorectal surgery requires application of the circular stapler anvil to the proximal bowel without exteriorization through an additional abdominal incision. We describe an intracorporeal method to secure the stapler anvil, termed the intracorporeal antimesenteric ancillary trocar (IAAT) technique.

Method: The ancillary trocar is attached to the stapler anvil before introduction into the abdominal cavity through the anal or vaginal orifice.

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Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the outcomes of the watch-and-wait (WW) approach versus radical surgery (RS) in rectal cancers with clinical complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines. Major databases were searched to identify relevant articles.

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This study aims to assess the quality and performance of predictive models for colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM). A systematic review was performed to identify relevant studies from various databases. Studies that described or validated predictive models for CRCLM were included.

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Introduction: Total mesorectal excision (TME) with delayed coloanal anastomosis (DCAA) is surgical option for low rectal cancer, replacing conventional immediate coloanal anastomosis (ICAA) with bowel diversion. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of transanal TME (TaTME) with DCAA versus laparoscopic TME (LTME) with ICAA versus robotic TME (RTME) with ICAA.

Methods: This was a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis of patients who underwent elective TaTME-DCAA between November 2021 and June 2022.

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Background: Management for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) conventionally comprises long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCCRT), total mesorectal excision (TME), and adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the RAPIDO study published in 2021 showed that total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) led to better oncological outcomes without increased toxicity. We review the surgical and short-term oncological outcomes of patients with high-risk LARC who underwent TNT or LCCRT before TME.

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Objectives: Despite an increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival, less is known about CRC-specific long-term unmet supportive needs in Asian patients. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of long-term unmet needs and identify clinical and socio-demographic factors associated with increased unmet needs in Asian CRC survivors.

Design And Setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study that assessed unmet needs using the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs scale.

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