Midterm outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer.

In this study, the authors examine midterm survival and recurrence after laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer. This is a retrospective review of a prospective database for rectal cancer surgeries performed at the authors' institution, with follow-up data obtained through chart review. In all, 74 patients in this study had open surgery, and 93 had laparoscopic surgery.

Recurrence rates of basal cell carcinoma of the periocular skin: what to do with patients who have positive margins after resection.

Objective: To determine the recurrence rates of basal cell carcinoma of the periocular skin in patients who were in the following 3 groups after pathologic analysis: Mohs frozen sections (negative margins); permanent sections with positive tumor margins; and permanent sections with negative tumor margins at the time of primary surgical removal.

Design: The study is a retrospective chart review.

Participants: We identified 385 patients who underwent surgery for basal cell carcinoma.

Pharyngeal flap versus sphincter pharyngoplasty for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency: a meta-analysis.

Background: Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) has been reported in 5-20% of patients following cleft palate repair. Since VPI can limit communication, determining which operative procedure leads to the greatest improvement is of utmost importance. Since there is no consensus, this meta-analysis aims to determine which procedure results in the most significant resolution of VPI.

Single-session primary high-intensity focused ultrasonography treatment for localized prostate cancer: biochemical outcomes using third generation-based technology.

Unlabelled: What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The experience with HIFU as a minimally invasive treatment for localized prostate cancer is relatively new and most reports are from European centres. Our study is unique in five regards: 1. Data was collected prospectively.

Bmi1 marks intermediate precursors during differentiation of human brain tumor initiating cells.

The master regulatory gene Bmi1 modulates key stem cell properties in neural precursor cells (NPCs), and has been implicated in brain tumorigenesis. We previously identified a population of CD133+ brain tumor cells possessing stem cell properties, known as brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs). Here, we characterize the expression and role of Bmi1 in primary minimally cultured human glioblastoma (GBM) patient isolates in CD133+ and CD133- sorted populations.

Local breast cancer recurrence after mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction for invasive cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: The main priorities in the surgical treatment of patients with breast cancer are to achieve cure, local control and prevent recurrence. It is increasingly important to address quality of life and self-image with women undergoing surgical intervention for breast cancer. There is a lack of consensus as to the oncologic safety of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR).

Would scan, but which scan? A cost-utility analysis to optimize preoperative imaging for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism depends on accurate preoperative localization. This study examines the cost-utility of sestamibi in combination with single photon emission computed tomography (sestamibi-SPECT); ultrasound; and 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT).

Methods: A decision tree was constructed for patients undergoing initial parathyroidectomy.

Hypotonic versus isotonic maintenance fluids after surgery for children: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the risk of hyponatremia following administration of a isotonic (0.9% saline) compared to a hypotonic (0.45% saline) parenteral maintenance solution (PMS) for 48 hours to postoperative pediatric patients.

Anatomically safe and minimally invasive transcrestal technique for procurement of autogenous cancellous bone graft from the mid-iliac crest.

Background: Open iliac bone harvesting techniques can result in significant complications and residual morbidity. In reconstructive procedures where a small volume of autogenous cancellous bone graft is required, a minimally invasive technique for bone harvesting applied at the mid-iliac crest has been deemed satisfactory. We sought to assess the application of a well-established surgical technique to procure adequate volume of autogenous cancellous iliac bone graft with minimal trauma to adjacent structures.

A meta-analysis of preoperative localization techniques for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Reported accuracy of preoperative localization imaging for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) varies. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of ultrasound, sestamibi-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) as preoperative localization strategies.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed of studies investigating the accuracy of ultrasound, sestamibi-SPECT, and 4D-CT for preoperative localization in pHPT.

Purely endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery versus traditional microsurgery for resection of pituitary adenomas: systematic review.

Objective: To determine, in a systematic review, whether purely endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas offers improved outcomes and decreased complications compared to the traditional microscopic approach.

Design: Systematic review.

Setting: The literature was searched using Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (inception to October 2009) by two independent review authors.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of intralesional versus wide resection for intramedullary grade I chondrosarcoma of the extremities.

Background: The surgical management of grade I intramedullary chondrosarcoma of bone remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data to determine the oncologic outcomes of intralesional versus wide resection for grade I intramedullary chondrosarcoma.

Methods: Literature searches were performed through Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database.

Systematic review of flexor tendon rehabilitation protocols in zone II of the hand.

Background: Restoration of function following flexor tendon repair in zone II represents a difficult clinical problem. Despite many publications on rehabilitation methods, there exists no consensus as to which method is superior. This study was undertaken to determine which flexor tendon rehabilitation protocol provides the best outcome after surgical repair in zone II.

Triaging herpes zoster ophthalmicus patients in the emergency department: do all patients require referral?

Objectives: The objective was to assess the predictive value of clinical signs and symptoms of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) for development of moderate to severe eye disease.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort multicenter study of 54 patients referred to the ophthalmology service after presenting to the emergency department (ED) or primary care clinic with a zosteriform rash of less than 10 days' duration. Upon referral to ophthalmology, easily assessable clinical signs and symptoms were documented.

Primary tumor and patient characteristics in breast cancer as predictors of adjuvant therapy regimen: a regression model.

Purpose: Adjuvant therapy reduces the risk of recurrence of breast cancer. This study was undertaken to determine characteristics guiding choice of adjuvant therapy.

Methods: A retrospective review was completed of characteristics of patients with breast cancer (stages I-III) at a regional center from 2004 to 2007.

Quality of assessment of randomized controlled trials in blood conservation after joint arthroplasty.

Blood transfusion after joint arthroplasty occurs in up to two thirds of patients. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to determine the methodological quality of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane to identify RCTs in arthroplasty with blood conservation as the primary outcome from 2001 to 2007.

Technical factors, surgeon case volume and positive margin rates after breast conservation surgery for early-stage breast cancer.

Background: For patients with breast cancer, a negative surgical margin at first breast-conserving surgery (BCS) minimizes the need for reoperation and likely reduces postoperative anxiety. We assessed technical factors, surgeon and hospital case volume and margin status after BCS in early-stage breast cancer.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using a regional cancer centre database of patients who underwent BCS for breast cancer from 2000 to 2002.

High-Speed Burring with and without the Use of Surgical Adjuvants in the Intralesional Management of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Local control rates for Giant Cell Tumor of Bone (GCT) have been reported in a large number of retrospective series. However, there remains a lack of consensus with respect to the need for a surgical adjuvant when intralesional curettage is performed. We have systematically reviewed the literature and identified six studies in which two groups from the same patient cohort were treated with intralesional curettage and high-speed burring with or without a chemical or thermal adjuvant.