Meta-analysis and systematic review of long-term oncological safety of immediate breast reconstruction in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) (stage 3A and above) is widely debated, both in terms of delay of adjuvant therapy and oncological safety. This study aims to systematically review and evaluate the long-term oncological safety of IBR in patients with LABC undergoing mastectomy.

Methods: Search conducted using Medline, Embase, PubMed and Google Scholar between 1 and 24 December 2023 involving patients with LABC who underwent mastectomy with or without IBR were included.

Single-incision versus conventional multi-incision laparoscopic appendicectomy for suspected uncomplicated appendicitis.

Background: Appendicectomy is a well-established surgical procedure to manage acute appendicitis. The operation was historically performed as an open procedure and is currently performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques. A recent development in appendicectomy technique is the introduction of single-incision laparoscopic surgery.

Use of artificial intelligence to identify patients to be assessed in a breast clinic on 2-week wait: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The number of urgent referrals from primary care to specialist one stop breast clinics continues to rise beyond the capacity of the 2-week wait service. This study aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify patients with new breast symptoms requiring a biopsy to identify those who should be prioritised for urgent breast clinic assessment.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively for patients attending one stop triple assessment breast clinic at Broomfield hospital between 1 June and 1 October 2021.

Prediction of negative axillary node clearance by sentinel node-positive to total node ratio: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Increasing evidence suggests that de-escalation of axillary surgery is safe, without significantly impacting patient outcome. Obtaining positive lymph nodes at a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) can guide decisions toward the requirement of axillary nodal clearance (ANC). However, methods to predict how many further nodes will be positive are not available.

A comprehensive review of hydrophobic silica and composite aerogels: synthesis, properties and recent progress towards environmental remediation and biomedical applications.

The hydrophobicity of silica and composite aerogels has enabled them to acquire applications in a variety of fields. With remarkable structural, morphological, and physiochemical properties such as high porosity, surface area, chemical stability, and selectivity, these materials have gained much attention of researchers worldwide. Moreover, the hydrophobic conduct has enabled these aerogels to adsorb substances, i.

Impact of enteral prophylactic antibiotics on the trends of inflammatory markers following laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: A retrospective and prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The study aimed to assess the effect of oral prophylactic antibiotics (OAB) with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on the serial measurement of postoperative inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes of the patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection surgery.

Methods: A retrospective and prospective data collection was carried out from January 2019 to March 2020 for the patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection. Daily measurements of inflammatory markers were obtained up to 7 days following surgery.

Use of Prophylactic Steroids to Prevent Hypocalcemia and Voice Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Total thyroidectomy is associated with risks related to temporary hypocalcemia and vocal quality dysfunction. Dexamethasone has been proposed to have a physiological effect on hypocalcemia and voice quality.

Objective: To assess the effect of preoperative dexamethasone used to improve hypocalcemia and postthyroidectomy voice dysfunction.

Online application for self-referral of the patients with breast symptoms.

Introduction: The study aimed to devise a self-referral mobile/web application for patients with new breast symptoms, giving them an outcome, thus bypassing the need for primary care consultation.

Methods: The online application was designed on the automated algorithm based on evidence-based guidelines for referral to breast onco-plastic units. A retrospective questionnaire-based anonymous survey was carried out at the breast unit in Southend University Hospital (January 2019 to March 2020).

Algorithm-Based Online Software for Patients' Self-Referral to Breast Clinic as an Alternative to General Practitioner Referral Pathway.

Introduction The study aimed to assess the accuracy of online software in the use of self-referral to breast surgery clinics for patients with new signs and symptoms. The study also evaluated the appropriateness of GP referrals to breast clinics and evaluated patients' perceptions of an online self-referral portal to the breast clinic for the assessment of breast signs and symptoms.  Design and methods The pilot study was divided into two phases.

"The psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical education of final year students in Pakistan: A cross-sectional study".

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a strong impact on students' wellbeing, with associated uncertainty about the future. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the psychological effects of COVID-19 on the medical education of final year students in Pakistan.

Methods: We conducted prospective, cross-sectional survey, as a snapshot, from June 07, 2020 till June 16, 2020, among final year medical and dental students.

Surgical and medical interventions for abdominal aortic graft infections.

Background: Abdominal aortic graft infections are a major complication following abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, with high morbidity and mortality rates. They can be treated surgically or conservatively using medical management. The two most common surgical techniques are in situ replacement of the graft and extra-anatomical bypass.

Regional variations in trajectories of long-term readmission rates among patients in England with heart failure.

Background: We aimed to compare the characteristics and types of heart failure (HF) patients termed "high-impact users", with high long-term readmission rates, in different regions in England. This will allow clinical factors to be identified in areas with potentially poor quality of care.

Methods: Patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in the period 2008-2009 were identified using nationally representative primary care data linked to national hospital data and followed up for 5 years.

Trajectory Modelling to Assess Trends in Long-Term Readmission Rate among Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Patients.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to use trajectory analysis to categorise high-impact users based on their long-term readmission rate and identify their predictors following AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) repair. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) was performed on the patient cohort (2006-2009) identified through national administrative data from all NHS English hospitals.

Common Sequences of Emergency Readmissions among High-Impact Users following AAA Repair.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to examine common sequences of causes of readmissions among those patients with multiple hospital admissions, high-impact users, after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair and to focus on strategies to reduce long-term readmission rate.

Methods: The patient cohort (2006-2009) included patients from Hospital Episodes Statistics, the national administrative data of all NHS English hospitals, and followed up for 5 years. Group-based trajectory modelling and sequence analysis were performed on the data.

Long-term trends of use of health service among heart failure patients.

Aims: We aimed to identify subgroups in the patient population with different trajectories of long-term readmission rates. The study also aimed to assess common causes and their sequences of readmissions for each subgroup.

Methods And Results: Patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in the period 2008-09 were identified using nationally representative primary care data linked to national hospital data, which contain information on 10.

A retrospective cohort study of high-impact users among patients with cerebrovascular conditions.

Objective: To apply group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) to the hospital administrative data to evaluate, model and visualise trends and changes in the frequency of long-term hospital care use of the subgroups of patients with cerebrovascular conditions.

Design: A retrospective cohort study of patients with cerebrovascular conditions.

Settings: Secondary care of all patients with cerebrovascular conditions admitted to English National Hospital Service hospitals.

Systematic Review of Hospital Readmissions in Stroke Patients.

Background. Previous evidence on factors and causes of readmissions associated with high-impact users of stroke is scanty. The aim of the study was to investigate common causes and pattern of short- and long-term readmissions stroke patients by conducting a systematic review of studies using hospital administrative data.

Spot urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid is not an ideal diagnostic test for acute appendicitis.

Background And Purpose Of The Study: There is growing evidence to suggest the use of urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) test to help with the diagnosis of appendicitis. The aim of our study was to establish whether urinary 5-HIAA could be used as an effective diagnostic test for acute appendicitis.

Design And Methods: A prospective double-blinded study was carried out from December 2014 to October 2015.

Effect of Lymph Node Retrieval and Ratio on the Long-Term Survival and Recurrence of Colon Cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the association of lymph node retrieval and ratio with the prognosis of colon cancer.

Study Design: Acohort study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK, from October 2014 to March 2015.

Meta-analysis of population-based studies comparing risk of cerebrovascular accident associated with first- and second-generation antipsychotic prescribing in dementia.

Background: Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are often prescribed in the treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), however, their use has been discouraged in light of clinical trials suggesting that they cause an increased risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs).

Objective: Aim of the study was to assess relative risk of CVA in dementia patients prescribed SGA rather than first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs), through meta-analysis of population-based studies.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using several relevant databases.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of mental training in the acquisition of technical skills in surgery.

Background: Mental training is rehearsal of mental imagery without physically performing the task. The aim of the study was to perform systematic review and meta-analysis on all the available data to evaluate the role of mental training in the acquisition of surgical technical skills.

Methods: The following search databases were used: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.