Evaluating mesh fixation techniques for ventral hernia repair: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised control trials.

INTRODUCTION: There is uncertainty regarding the optimal mesh fixation techniques for laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repair. AIM: To perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised control trials (RCTs) to investigate the advantages and disadvantages associated with absorbable tacks, non-absorbable tacks, non-absorbable sutures, non-absorbable staples, absorbable synthetic glue, absorbable sutures and non-absorbable tacks, and non-absorbable sutures and non-absorbable tacks. METHODS: A systematic review was performed as per PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) were extracted to compare the efficacy of the surgical approaches. RESULTS: Nine RCTs were included with 707 patients. Short-term pain was significantly reduced in non-absorbable staples (MD; -1.56, confidence interval (CI); -2.93 to -0.19) and non-absorbable sutures (MD; -1.00, CI; -1.60 to -0.40) relative to absorbable tacks. Recurrence, length of stay, operative time, conversion to open surgery, seroma and haematoma formation were unaffected by mesh fixation technique. CONCLUSION: Short-term post-operative pain maybe reduced by the use of non-absorbable sutures and non-absorbable staples. There is clinical equipoise between each modality in relation to recurrence, length of stay, and operative time.

Lung Cancer resection in the absence of pre-operative histology: The Accuracy of Multidisciplinary Team Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Lung resection remains the gold-standard of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines recommends the pursuit of pre-operative histological diagnosis and staging where possible. In the absence of pre-operative histology, surgical treatment can be offered in conjunction with multidisciplinary team (MDT) and patient consensus. We undertook a single-centre analysis of the accuracy of the lung cancer MDT in recommending surgical resection for those with suspected lung malignancy in the absence of pre-operative histological diagnosis over a six-year period. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing any pulmonary oncological resection with therapeutic intent without pre-operative histological diagnosis at the recommendation of the lung cancer MDT in our unit between May 2016 and July 2022. RESULTS: 270 consecutive patients underwent lung resection for a lung nodule of indeterminate significance. This accounted for 45% of the oncological resections performed over this period. The mean age of the cohort was 67.9 years, and 47.4% were male. Overall, 10% of resected specimens (n = 27) were benign on final histopathology. 93% of those undergoing a lobectomy received a malignant diagnosis. Across the study cohort, surgical resection was well tolerated with a low complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer resection in the absence of pre-operative histological diagnosis is feasible in a select patient cohort. This approach requires an experienced multi-disciplinary team and careful patient counselling. Our study demonstrates this adapted approach to be a pragmatic solution to the management of indeterminate pulmonary nodules in centres where biopsy is not routinely available due to existing constraints on the health system.

Endoscopic vein harvesting: a guide for approaching difficult cases and assessing patients preoperatively.

Coronary artery bypass grafting remains the most commonly performed cardiac surgical procedure worldwide. The long saphenous vein still presides as the first choice conduit as a second graft in multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Traditionally, the long saphenous vein has been harvested with an open approach which can potentially result in significant wound complications in certain circumstances. Endoscopic vein harvesting is a minimally invasive vein harvesting technique, which requires a single 2-3 cm incision and is associated with a quicker return to normal daily activities, decreased wound complications and better quality of life in the longer term. There is a learning curve associated with endoscopic vein harvesting adoption and there are certain patient factors that can prove to be challenging when adopting an endoscopic approach. This commentary aims to provide a concise guide of certain challenging patient factors that operators may encounter during endoscopic vein harvesting, and how to approach these patients in both the preoperative and intraoperative settings. We suggest that with appropriate planning and awareness of the challenging patient factors and problematic venous anatomy that exists, the operator can consistently formulate a strategy for ensuring a successful endoscopic harvest.

Bronchogenic cyst: a rare case of malignant transformation.

Bronchogenic cysts are rare cystic malformations of the respiratory tract with prevalence that is largely unknown. They are most commonly diagnosed incidentally in asymptomatic patients. While surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for patients who are symptomatic, the treatment course for patients without symptoms is less clear. We describe the case of an initially asymptomatic elderly man who was found to have a bronchogenic cyst on routine surveillance imaging, culminating in the rapid enlargement and malignant transformation of the cyst, ultimately resulting in a technically difficult and challenging surgical resection. The malignant transformation of these bronchogenic cysts is exceedingly rare, with only a few well-documented cases reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a squamous cell carcinoma arising from a bronchogenic cyst in the paratracheal region.

Surgery by a minimally invasive approach is associated with improved textbook outcomes in oesophageal and gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Textbook outcome (TBO) is a composite measure of a number of peri-operative and clinical outcomes in oesophagogastric malignancy. It has previously been shown that TBOs are associated with improved overall survival in both oesophageal and gastric cancer. The influence of a minimally invasive approach (MIA) on TBO is not well defined. The purpose of this study is to validate TBO in our population, examine the influence of a MIA on achieving a TBO, and the impact of TBO on long-term survival. METHODS: 269 patients undergoing oesophagectomy and 258 patients undergoing subtotal or total gastrectomy were included in this study. Demographic, clinical and pathological differences between patients with and without a TBO were compared using univariable and multivariable analysis. Overall survival for those with and without a TBO was examined. The influence of MIA on overall survival and TBO was determined using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Patients undergoing oesophagectomy and gastrectomy were significantly more likely to achieve a TBO when MIA was used (p = 0.01 and 0.001 respectively). When MIA is included as an outcome measure patients achieving a TBO show improved overall survival in both oesophageal and gastric cancer. MIA, clear resection margins and no unplanned admission to critical care are the strongest predictors of overall survival from the putative bundle of TBO parameters. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery is associated with improved TBO. Completion of a minimally invasive approach should be considered for inclusion as a textbook parameter.

Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Biologic Graft Materials Revisited.

Symptomatic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) refractory to conservative management with pelvic floor muscle training or vaginal pessaries may warrant surgical intervention with different forms of biologic or synthetic material. However, in recent years, several global regulatory agencies have issued health warnings and recalled several mesh products due to an increase in complications such as mesh erosion, infection, chronic pain, and perioperative bleeding. At present, current surgical treatment strategies for SUI and POP are aimed at developing biological graft materials with similar mechanical properties to established synthetic meshes, but with improved tissue integration and minimal host response. This narrative review aims to highlight recent studies related to the development of biomimetic and biologic graft materials as alternatives to traditional synthetic materials for SUI/POP repair in female patients. We also investigate complications and technical limitations associated with synthetic mesh and biological biomaterials in conventional SUI and POP surgery. Our findings demonstrate that newly developed biologic grafts have a lower incidence of adverse events compared to synthetic biomaterials. However there remains a significant disparity between success in preclinical trials and long-term clinical translation. Further characterization on the optimal structural, integrative, and mechanical properties of biological grafts is required before they can be reliably introduced into clinical practice for SUI and POP surgery. Impact statement Our review article aims to outline the clinical history of developments and controversies associated with the use of synthetic mesh materials in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, as well as highlighting recent advancements in the area of biological graft materials and their potential importance in an area that remains an enduring issue for patients and clinicians alike. This article aims to provide a concise summary of previous controversies in the field of urinary incontinence, while evaluating the future of potential biomaterials in this field.

​Venous anomalies in renal transplantation: an accessory left-sided IVC in a live kidney donor.

Duplication of the inferior vena cava (IVC) resulting in an accessory left-sided IVC is a relatively rare vascular anomaly with a reported prevalence of 0.7%. Radiologically, a duplicated left-sided IVC is usually seen as a continuation of the left common iliac vein, crossing anterior to the aorta at the level of the renal vein to join the right-sided IVC. We present a rare case in which an accessory left-sided IVC was discovered intraoperatively, in a 47-year-old living donor, posing significant intraoperative challenges regarding extraction and subsequent transplantation.