Upper Rectal Cancer: To Irradiate or Not?

Introduction This study examines the ongoing debate surrounding treatment strategies for upper rectal cancer. While neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) is well established for mid and low rectal cancers, its efficacy for upper rectal cancers remains contentious. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, clinical outcomes, and oncologic results of chemoradiation in upper rectal cancer.

Anorectal Malignancies Presenting as a Perianal Abscess or Fistula.

Background: Acute anorectal abscess and fistula are common conditions that usually presents as a painful lump close to the anal margin. Tumors in the distal rectum and in the perianal region may mimic the symptoms and signs of anorectal sepsis, thereby leading to a delay in diagnosis and management. The purpose of this study was to describe patients presenting with acute perianal abscess or fistula who were subsequently diagnosed with anorectal cancer.

Initial Experience with Transition from Open to Robotic-assisted Proctectomy for Patients with Rectal Cancer.

Background: The learning curve for transition from open to laparoscopic proctectomies is difficult. Most surgeons have considerable laparoscopic experience prior to performing robotic-assisted procedures. There are data regarding the transition from open to robotic proctectomies.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy in the Days of COVID-19.

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common emergencies treated by general surgeons. The treatment of choice in the majority of cases is laparoscopic appendectomy. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a concern for a delayed referral of patients and thus a more advanced presentation of the disease leading to a prolonged and complicated course.

Acute Appendicitis: Still a Surgical Disease? Results from a Propensity Score-Based Outcome Analysis of Conservative Versus Surgical Management from a Prospective Database.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the outcomes of conservative versus surgical treatment for acute appendicitis.

Background: Although acute appendicitis is a common disease, great debate exists regarding the appropriate management of patients. Conservative treatment has shown positive results in several RCTs, eliciting questions about indications to surgery, therapeutic appropriateness and ethical conduct.

Acute appendicitis: Epidemiology, treatment and outcomes- analysis of 16544 consecutive cases.

Aim: To investigate the epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of acute appendicitis (AA) in a large population study.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study derived from the administrative dataset of the Bergamo district healthcare system (more than 1 million inhabitants) from 1997 to 2013. Data about treatment, surgery, length of stay were collected.

Critical view of safety during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background And Objectives: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has a 0.3% to 0.5% morbidity rate due to major biliary injuries.