Fragility index for extended prophylaxis following abdominopelvic surgery: A methodological survey.

Background: Fragility Index (FI) is increasingly used to assess robustness of statistically significant p-values reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). FI represents the lowest number of non-events changed to events that would make study findings non-significant. This methodological survey was designed to assess the fragility of the evidence for extended VTEp following major abdominopelvic surgery.

An assessment of cancer centre level designation and guideline adherent care in those with rectal cancer: A population based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Institutions providing care to individuals with cancer are organized based on available resources and treatments offered. It is presumed that increasing levels of care will result in improved quality of care and outcomes. The objective is to determine whether Cancer Level Designation is associated with guideline adherent care and/or survival.

PReoperative very low-Energy diets for obese PAtients undergoing non-bariatric surgery Randomized Evaluation (PREPARE): a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patients with obesity presenting in need of surgical intervention are at 2-to-sixfold higher risk of prolonged hospitalization, infectious morbidity, venous thromboembolism, and more. To mitigate some of these concerns, prescribed preoperative weight loss via very low-energy diets (VLEDs) has become a standard of care for patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery. While VLEDs have become standard prior to bariatric surgery, their application in other surgical settings remains limited.

Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer.

Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) is a technique where rectal dissection is begun transanally in a "bottom-up" fashion. This technique facilitates dissection of the most distal part of the rectum and allows the establishment of the distal margin for rectal cancer. TaTME has proven its utility in facilitating low rectal dissection with significantly lower conversion rates and acceptable perioperative, oncological, and functional outcomes.

Patient and disease characteristics, treatment practices and oncologic outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer: a population-based analysis.

Background: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing among young adults. We sought to report on patient and disease characteristics, treatment practice patterns and outcomes in this population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative health data from the Alberta Cancer Registry (2004-2015), including demographic and tumour characteristics, and treatment received.

Patterns of Healthcare Utilization Leading to Diagnosis of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer (yCRC): Population-Based Case-Control Study.

Background: The increasing risk of young-onset colorectal cancer (yCRC) in adults < 50 years has called for better understanding of patients’ pathways to diagnosis. This study evaluated patterns of healthcare utilization before diagnosis of yCRC. Methods: Using linked administrative health databases in British Columbia, Canada, we identified yCRC cases and cancer-free controls matched (1:10) on age, sex, and healthcare utilization.

Indications and Technical Considerations for Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision.

A 53-year-old man presented after noting bright red blood from his rectum. On examination, he was found to have a mass 1 cm above the anal sphincter complex. He had a BMI of 40 kg/m2 and was otherwise healthy.

The Digital Divide: A Retrospective Survey of Digital Rectal Examinations during the Workup of Rectal Cancers.

Digital rectal examination (DRE) is considered an important part of the physical examination. However, it is unclear how many patients have a DRE performed at the primary care level in the work-up of rectal cancer, and if the absence of a DRE causes a delay to consultation with a specialist. A retrospective patient questionnaire was sent to 1000 consecutive patients with stage II or stage III rectal cancer.

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities After Surgical Resection for Rectal Cancer.

Background: There are various racial, socioeconomic, and tumor-specific factors that can impact rectal cancer outcomes. The current systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effect socioeconomic and racial variables on overall survival of rectal cancer patients after surgical resection.

Methods: A literature search was performed via electronic databases according to Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

Instant replay: Evaluation of instant video feedback in surgical novices for a laparoscopic gallbladder dissection.

Background: Athletes often use video to improve their technique. We hypothesized that surgical novices given feedback using video-replay would outperform surgical novices given verbal feedback in the performance of a laparoscopic task.

Methods: Our study used a prospective, randomized control design.

Building capacity for education research among clinical educators in the health professions: A BEME (Best Evidence Medical Education) Systematic Review of the outcomes of interventions: BEME Guide No. 34.

Background/purpose: There is a growing desire for health professions educators to generate high-quality education research; yet, few of them encounter the training to do so. In response, health professions faculties have increasingly been devoting resources to provide members with the skills necessary for education research. The form and impact of these efforts have not been reviewed, though such a synthesis could be useful for practice.