Comparison of Weight Loss and Improvement in Metabolic Comorbidities Between Endoscopic Gastroplasty and Lifestyle Modifications: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Endoscopic gastroplasty (EG) is a less invasive method for managing obesity compared with bariatric surgery. However, evidence on the use of EG is still scarce. This study aims to review existing evidence comparing EG with lifestyle modifications (LM) in terms of weight loss and improvement in metabolic syndrome.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on choice of central venous access device for delivery of chemotherapy.

Objective: Ensuring reliable central venous access with the fewest complications is vital for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A systematic review and network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the safety, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness of different types of central venous access devices (CVADs) for patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to August 20, 2021 for randomized controlled trials comparing the various CVADs (ie, nontunneled central venous catheters [CVCs], peripherally inserted CVCs [PICCs], totally implantable venous access ports [TIVAPs], and tunneled CVCs).

Revisional One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass After Restrictive Index Surgery-a Metaanalysis and Comparison with Revisional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Background: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) was established as a recognized bariatric procedure in the 2018 International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) position statement. This study evaluates the outcomes of revisional OAGB (rOAGB) after a restrictive index procedure, and to compare it to revisional RYGB (rRYGB).

Methods: A literature search was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines on papers published from inception till February 2020.

A lower cut-off for lymph node harvest predicts for poorer overall survival after rectal surgery post neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Background: A lymph node harvest (LNH) of < 12 is a predictor for poor prognosis in rectal cancer patients. However, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) is known to decrease LNH; hence, a cut-off of 12 is inappropriate in such patients. This paper aims to establish a LNH cut-off predictive for disease-free and overall survival in NACRT patients.

Impact of bariatric surgery on serum uric acid levels and the incidence of gout-A meta-analysis.

Gout is characterized by high serum uric acid (SUA) levels and arthritis. It is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Bariatric surgery has been associated with decreased SUA levels and overall gout incidence.

Outcomes After Metabolic Surgery in Asians-a Meta-analysis.

Background: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are now increasingly epidemic in Asia. As obesity and T2DM have different disease patterns in Asians compared to Westerners, outcomes after metabolic surgery may differ. The aim of this meta-analysis was to gather the current available evidence on the outcomes after metabolic surgery in Asians.

Outcomes of percutaneous cholecystostomy and predictors of eventual cholecystectomy.

Background: Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an established treatment for high surgical risk patients with acute cholecystitis. This paper studies factors predictive of mortality and eventual cholecystectomy.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent PC from March 2005 to March 2015 was performed.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess: Does Escherichia Coli Cause more Adverse Outcomes than Klebsiella Pneumoniae?

Background: This paper aims to demonstrate if Escherichia coli pyogenic liver abscess (ECPLA) results in adverse outcomes compared to Klebsiella pneumoniae PLA (KPPLA).

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients admitted at a tertiary hospital in Singapore from 2003 to 2011 was performed. Patients with age <18 years, amoebic liver abscess, infected liver cyst, culture negative abscess or ruptured liver abscess requiring urgent surgical intervention were excluded.

Undescended testis: 513 patients' characteristics, age at orchidopexy and patterns of referral.

Objective: Undescended testis (UDT) affects 1-6% of males. Current recommendations are to correct maldescent by 1 year of age. We identify the population characteristics of children referred and managed for UDT, age at referral and orchidopexy, and patterns of referral.