Healthcare professional experiences of making surgical oncology decisions and delivering COVID-19 safe care: a qualitative study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared a public health emergency in March 2020. The British National Health Service (NHS) redirected medical attention towards prioritising COVID-19-positive patients in favour of less urgent care affecting cancer service provision. This study aims to explore experiences of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and investigate the impact of COVID-19 on decision-making in surgical oncology.

Quality and efficacy of Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) quality assessment tools and discussion checklists: a systematic review.

Background: MDT discussion is the gold standard for cancer care in the UK. With the incidence of cancer on the rise, demand for MDT discussion is increasing. The need for efficiency, whilst maintaining high standards, is therefore clear.

Surgical Management of Non-Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer in the United Kingdom: Results of a Nationwide Survey on Current Practice.

Background: It is presently unclear what clinical pathways are followed for patients with non-metastatic PDAC in specialised centres for pancreatic surgery across the United Kingdom (UK).

Methods: Between August 2019 and August 2020 an electronic survey was conducted aiming at a national cohort of pancreatic surgeons in the UK. Participants replied to a list of standardised questions and clinical vignettes, and data were collected and analysed focusing on management preferences, resectability criteria, and contraindications to surgery.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on pancreatic cancer services and treatment pathways: United Kingdom experience.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented healthcare providers with an extreme challenge to provide cancer services. The impact upon the diagnostic and treatment capacity to treat pancreatic cancer is unclear. This study aimed to identify national variation in treatment pathways during the pandemic.

Outcomes of inguinal hernia repair in cirrhotics: a single tertiary centre experience.

Background: Patients with liver cirrhosis are at a higher risk of perioperative anaesthetic and surgical complications. Surgical repair of abdominal wall hernias in these patients has been widely discouraged. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the post-operative outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis after inguinal hernia repair at a single institution.

Variation in the Use of Resection for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate variation in the frequency of resections for colorectal cancer liver metastases across the English NHS.

Background: Previous research has shown significant variation in access to liver resection surgery across the English NHS. This study uses more recent data to identify whether inequalities in access to liver resection still persist.

The impact of age on post-operative liver function following right hepatectomy: a retrospective, single centre experience.

Background: An increasing number of patients undergoing liver resection are of advancing age. The impact of ageing on liver regeneration and post-operative outcomes following a major resection are uncertain. We aimed to investigate risk factors for patients who developed Post Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PHLF) following right hepatectomy with age as the primary risk-factor.

Gender representation in leadership roles in UK surgical societies.

Introduction: Despite making up more than half of new doctors, women are underrepresented in most surgical specialties. Various reasons have been suggested for this including issues with work-life balance, discrimination and a lack of female role models in the specialty. We sought to quantify the extent of gender discrimination in leadership roles in surgical societies in the UK.

The impact of advancing age on incidence of hepatectomy and post-operative outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Clinical outcomes for elderly patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases are poorly characterised. This study aimed to investigate the impact of advancing age on the incidence of liver resection and post-operative outcomes.

Methods: Patients in the National Bowel Cancer Audit undergoing major CRC resection from 2010 to 2016 in England were included.

Radical operation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma in comparable Eastern and Western centers: Outcome analysis and prognostic factors.

Background: Extensive resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is the most effective treatment, but high morbidity and poor prognosis remain concerns. Previous data have shown marked differences in outcomes between comparable Eastern and Western centers. We compared the outcomes of the management for hilar cholangiocarcinoma at one Japanese and one British institution with comparable experience.

Posterior Superior Mesenteric Artery First Dissection Versus Classical Approach in Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Outcomes of a Case-Matched Study.

Objectives: Posterior superior mesenteric artery (SMA) first dissection in pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) may allow for early assessment of resectability and aberrant anatomy. Study objectives were to compare resection margins, perioperative outcomes, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing a posterior SMA first dissection PD to a classical technique PD.

Methods: Patients (n = 77) who underwent a posterior SMA first PD for adenocarcinoma were case matched for patient and tumor characteristics with patients undergoing a classical approach PD from 2006 to 2014 (n = 177).

The effect of Liver Transplantation on the quality of life of the recipient's main caregiver - a systematic review.

Liver transplantation (LT) is a transformative, life-saving procedure with life-long sequale for patients and their caregivers. The impact of LT on the patient's main caregiver can be underestimated. We carried out a systematic review of the impact of LT on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of LT patients' main caregivers.

Calculating the risk of a pancreatic fistula after a pancreaticoduodenectomy: a systematic review.

Background: A post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This systematic review aimed to identify all scoring systems to predict POPF after a PD, consider their clinical applicability and assess the study quality.

Method: An electronic search was performed of Medline (1946-2014) and EMBASE (1996-2014) databases.

Differential analysis of biological networks.

Background: In cancer research, the comparison of gene expression or DNA methylation networks inferred from healthy controls and patients can lead to the discovery of biological pathways associated to the disease. As a cancer progresses, its signalling and control networks are subject to some degree of localised re-wiring. Being able to detect disrupted interaction patterns induced by the presence or progression of the disease can lead to the discovery of novel molecular diagnostic and prognostic signatures.

Regional differences in prostaglandin E₂ metabolism in human colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Background: Prostaglandin (PG) E2 plays a critical role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Activity of the rate-limiting enzyme for PGE2 catabolism (15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase [15-PGDH]) is dependent on availability of NAD+. We tested the hypothesis that there is intra-tumoral variability in PGE2 content, as well as in levels and activity of 15-PGDH, in human CRC liver metastases (CRCLM).

Implantable versus cuffed external central venous catheters for the management of children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if there is a difference between complications for totally implantable central venous catheters (ports) and tunnelled external central venous catheters (external CVCs) that result in early removal of the central venous catheter (CVC) in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Methods: All children hospitalised between November 1996 and December 2007 with ALL who had a CVC were included retrospectively. We analysed data regarding the patient's first CVC.

Role of quantification of hepatic steatosis and future remnant volume in predicting hepatic dysfunction and complications after liver resection for colorectal metastases: a pilot study.

Objectives: Accurate prediction of safe remnant liver volume to minimize complications following liver resection remains challenging. The aim of this study was to assess whether quantification of steatosis improved the predictive value of preoperative volumetric analysis.

Methods: Thirty patients undergoing planned right or extended right hemi-hepatectomy for colorectal metastases were recruited prospectively.

Hepatocellular carcinoma within a noncirrhotic, nonfibrotic, seronegative liver: surgical approaches and outcomes.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) most commonly arises in patients with chronic liver disease. Data on outcomes after liver resection in patients with noncirrhotic, nonfibrotic, seronegative, referred to as a "normal" liver are limited. We aimed to investigate differences in prognostic factors and outcomes between patients presenting with HCC arising in "normal" liver (NLHCC) and that arising in "diseased" liver (DLHCC).

Evolution of the surgical management of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma in a Western centre demonstrates improved survival with endoscopic biliary drainage and reduced use of blood transfusion.

Background: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCCA) remains a surgical challenge for which few large Western series have been reported. The aims of this study were to investigate the results of surgical resection for PHCCA and assess how practice has evolved over the past 15 years.

Methods: A prospectively maintained database was interrogated to identify all resections.

Index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with acute biliary symptoms: results from a specialist centre.

Background: Index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ALC) is the treatment of choice for patients admitted with biliary symptoms but is performed in less than 15% of these admissions. We analysed our results for ALC within a tertiary hepatobiliary centre.

Methods: Data from all cholecystectomies carried out under the care of the two senior authors from 1998 to 2008 were prospectively collected and interrogated.

Surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a new era: comparison among leading Eastern and Western centers, Leeds.

Objective: Surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) remains challenging, with radical procedures thought to offer the best chance of long-term survival. Here we present our data for surgical resection of HCCA for the period 2001-2008.

Methods: A prospectively maintained database was interrogated to identify all resections.