[Functional impairment and quality of life after rectal cancer surgery].

Objective: This study determines the quality of life and the anorectal function of these patients.

Method: Observational study of two cohorts comparing patients undergoing rectal tumor surgery using TaETM or conventional ETM after a minimum of six months of intestinal transit reconstruction. EORTC-30, EORTC-29 quality of life questionnaires and the anorectal function assessment questionnaire (LARS score) are applied.

Study protocol for a multicenter prospective controlled and randomized trial of transanal total mesorectal excision versus laparoscopic low anterior resection in rectal cancer.

Purpose: Compared with the open approach, laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) achieves faster patient recovery, reduces morbidity rates, and shortens hospital stay. However, in laparoscopic low anterior resection (L-LAR), conversion to open surgery is required in almost 20% of cases. Transanal TME (Ta-TME) combined with laparoscopy, also called hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), is a less invasive procedure that can overcome some of the limitations of laparoscopic rectal surgery.

American vs. European Trauma Centers: A Comparison of Preventable Deaths.

Introduction: The aim is comparing the quality of care at a typical American trauma center (USC) vs. an equivalent European referral center in Spain (SRC), through the analysis of preventable and potentially preventable deaths.

Methods: Comparative study that evaluated trauma patients older than 16 years old who died during their hospitalization.

Preventable deaths and potentially preventable deaths. What are our errors?

Background: A variety of systems have been applied to identify and address errors in the management of multiple trauma patients. This lack of standardisation represents a serious problem.

Objectives: Detect preventable and potentially preventable deaths, and classify all the errors with universal language.

Tricks and tips in pancreatoduodenectomy.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard surgical treatment for tumors of the pancreatic head, proximal bile duct, duodenum and ampulla, and represents the only hope of cure in cases of malignancy. Since its initial description in 1935 by Whipple et al, this complex surgical technique has evolved and undergone several modifications. We review three key issues in PD: (1) the initial approach to the superior mesenteric artery, known as the artery-first approach; (2) arterial complications caused by anatomic variants of the hepatic artery or celiac artery stenosis; and (3) the extent of lymphadenectomy.