A multi-centre, UK-based, cohort study assessing the role of robotic common bile duct exploration for complex choledocholithiasis.

Background: There is no consensus on the gold-standard treatment for choledocholithiasis. This retrospective multicentric cohort study aimed to assess the safety, efficacy, and role of robotic common bile duct exploration (RCBDE) in treating choledocholithiasis.

Methods: All adult (≥18 years) consecutive patients undergoing RCBDE either alongside or following cholecystectomy between 2018 and 2024 were included.

Implications of the microbiome after pancreatic cancer resection with regard to morbidity and mortality.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease with an extremely poor prognosis. The most common complications after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) include surgical site infection (SSI), postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), and delayed gastric emptying (DGE). The potential role and mechanisms of microbial colonization of key surgical sites resulting in perioperative complications after PD remain to be fully elucidated.

The microbial composition of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review of 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Background: Pancreatic cancer, specifically pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), continues to pose a significant clinical and scientific challenge. The most significant finding of recent years is that PDAC tumours harbour their specific microbiome, which differs amongst tumour entities and is distinct from healthy tissue. This review aims to evaluate and summarise all PDAC studies that have used the next-generation technique, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing within each bodily compartment.

Impact of tertiary lymphoid structures on prognosis and therapeutic response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is known to have a heterogeneous desmoplastic tumour microenvironment (TME) with a large number of immunosuppressive cells. Recently, high B-cell infiltration in PDAC has received growing interest as a potential therapeutic target.

Methods: Our literature review summarises the characteristics of tumour-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) and highlight the key studies exploring the clinical outcomes of TLSs in PDAC patients and the direct effect on the TME.

Developing Bespoke High Volume Low Complexity (HVLC) Theatre Lists With a Focus on Training to Address the Impact of COVID-19: A Pilot Study.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on both healthcare delivery and surgical training. There have been significant efforts to manage the growing elective waiting list backlog whilst addressing the training deficit. We outline a successful pilot high volume low complexity (HVLC) program held at the Croydon Elective Centre between 2021-2022 which aimed to amalgamate training and elective recovery.

Bile Microbiome Signatures Associated with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Compared to Benign Disease: A UK Pilot Study.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a very poor survival. The intra-tumoural microbiome can influence pancreatic tumourigenesis and chemoresistance and, therefore, patient survival. The role played by bile microbiota in PDAC is unknown.

Management of a complex cholecystocutaneous fistula with laparoscopic retrieval of gallstones embedded in the abdominal wall.

Cholecystocutaneous fistula is a rare surgical entity caused by an abnormal connection between the gallbladder epithelium and the skin. These complex cases have historically required an open surgical approach and are difficult to manage. We present a rare case of a 65-year-old male patient, with chronic lithiasic cholecystitis and cholecystocutaneous fistula.

The Role of the Multiparametric MRI LiverMultiScan in the Quantitative Assessment of the Liver and Its Predicted Clinical Applications in Patients Undergoing Major Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the histological assessment of the liver. With clear disadvantages and the rise in the incidences of liver disease, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and an explosion of surgical management options available, non-invasive serological and imaging markers of liver histopathology have never been more pertinent in order to assess liver health and stratify patients considered for surgical intervention. Liver MRI is a leading modality in the assessment of hepatic malignancy.

Advances in Immunotherapeutics in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for up to 95% of all pancreatic cancer cases and is the seventh-leading cause of cancer death. Poor prognosis is a result of late presentation, a lack of screening tests and the fact some patients develop resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Novel therapies like immunotherapeutics have been of recent interest in pancreatic cancer.

A Comprehensive Review of the Current and Future Role of the Microbiome in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is expected to become the second most common cause of cancer death in the USA by 2030, yet progress continues to lag behind that of other cancers, with only 9% of patients surviving beyond 5 years. Long-term survivorship of PDAC and improving survival has, until recently, escaped our understanding. One recent frontier in the cancer field is the microbiome.

Appendiceal adenocarcinoma with breast metastases.

Malignant lesions of the vermiform appendix make up a rare subset of colorectal cancer. While colorectal cancer frequently metastasises to the liver, lung, regional lymph nodes and peritoneum, metastasis to the breast is extremely rare. Here, we describe the case of an 84-year-old woman who had the incidental finding of appendiceal adenocarcinoma following emergency laparoscopic appendectomy.

A combined open and laparoscopic technique for the management of De Garengeot's hernia with acute appendicitis: A case report.

Introduction: De Garengeot's hernia is a rare type of femoral hernia which describes the vermiform appendix incarcerated within the hernia sac. In this case report we present our case and review the surgical approaches described in the literature.

Presentation Of Case: We present the case of an 84-year-old female with a background of Parkinson's Disease who presented to the emergency department with a five day history of a right-sided groin lump with worsening pain, nausea and reduced appetite.

Angiographically visible coronary artery collateral circulation improves prognosis in patients presenting with acute ST segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Coronary collaterals are often seen supplying retrograde flow to an acutely occluded arterial territory. Whether this early collateralization offers prognostic benefit is not well established.

Methods: We analyzed data from all patients presenting to our regional cardiac unit with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction requiring immediate angiography (years 1999-2017).

Learning curves in surgery: variables, analysis and applications.

Learning curves graphically represent the relationship between learning effort and learning outcome. Learning curves are increasingly used in research, the design of randomised controlled trials, the assessment of competency, healthcare education and training programme design. In this review we have outlined the principles behind plotting learning curves, described the common methods used to analyse learning curves, how to interpret learning curves, the multitude of learning models, their applications and potential pitfalls, and the importance of a mathematically rigorous approach to learning curve analytics.

An enhanced fresh cadaveric model for reconstructive microsurgery training.

Background: Performing microsurgery requires a breadth and depth of experience that has arguably been reduced as result of diminishing operating exposure. Fresh frozen cadavers provide similar tissue handling to real-time operating; however, the bloodless condition restricts the realism of the simulation. We describe a model to enhance flap surgery simulation, in conjunction with qualitative assessment.

Should Total Hip Arthroplasty be Performed Acutely in the Treatment of Acetabular Fractures in Elderly or Used as a Salvage Procedure Only?

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is now an increasingly common procedure for people sustaining acetabular fractures. The incidence of acetabular fractures among the elderly population is increasing, and contemporary treatment aims to avoid the risks of prolonged incumbency associated with poor bone stock for fixation or inability to comply with limited weightbearing in this patient group. The concept of acute hip arthroplasty as a treatment for acetabular fracture is, therefore, becoming more topical and relevant.