The Thermal Signature of Wound Healing.

Background: Despite major efforts in prevention, surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a burden on patients and the healthcare system and are associated with significant morbidity. SSIs are one of the costliest healthcare-associated infections. The diagnosis of SSIs is based mainly on clinical assessment, which may result in a delay in detection.

International Expert Consensus on Defining Textbook Oncologic Outcomes in Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis.

Background: Textbook oncologic outcome (TOO) is a composite metric shown to correlate with improved survival after curative intent oncologic procedures. Despite increasing use among disciplines in surgical oncology, no consensus exists for its definition in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Study Design: An international consensus-based study employed a Delphi methodology to achieve agreement.

Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Metastasis of Rectal Origin.

Background: The peritoneum is a common metastatic site of colorectal cancer (CRC) and associated with worse oncological outcomes. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been shown to improve outcomes in selected patients. Studies have demonstrated significant difference in survival of patients with primary colon and rectal tumors both in local and in metastatic setting; but only few assessed outcomes of CRS/HIPEC for rectal and colon tumors.

Natural History and Management of Small-Bowel Obstruction in Patients After Cytoreductive Surgery and Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

Background: Small-bowel obstruction (SBO) after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is a common complication associated with re-admission that may alter patients' outcomes. Our aim was to characterize and investigate the impact of bowel obstruction on patients' prognosis.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with SBO after CRS/HIPEC (n = 392).

Towards interpretable, medically grounded, EMR-based risk prediction models.

Machine-learning based risk prediction models have the potential to improve patient outcomes by assessing risk more accurately than clinicians. Significant additional value lies in these models providing feedback about the factors that amplify an individual patient's risk. Identification of risk factors enables more informed decisions on interventions to mitigate or ameliorate modifiable factors.

Learning curve of robotic inguinal hernia repair in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon: a comparative study.

Background: Since its introduction, robotic surgery has been utilized in different types of surgeries over various specialties. However, studies done thus far comparing robotic (Rob. IHR) and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (Lap.

The pattern of peritoneal colorectal metastasis predicts survival after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy.

Background: Peritoneal cancer index (PCI) has been used reliably to prognosticate patients with peritoneal metastasis, however, it fails to describe the patterns of peritoneal spread and to correlate these patterns to survival outcomes. We aim to define the scattered peritoneal spread (SPS) as a pattern associated with worse survival in colorectal peritoneal metastasis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients from a prospectively maintained database of peritoneal surface malignances (n = 280) between 2015 and 2020.

Ratio of Pathological Response to Preoperative Chemotherapy in Patients Undergoing Complete Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Correlates with Survival.

Background: Pathological response of colorectal peritoneal metastasis (CRPM) may affect prognosis. We investigated the relationship between oncological outcomes and pathological response to chemotherapy of CRPM following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained Peritoneal Surface Malignancies database between 2015 and 2020.

Colorectal Surgery Surveillance: A Novel Method for Composing an Automated Real-time Prospective Registry.

Background: Medical registries have been shown to be an effective way to improve patient care and reduce costs. Constructing such registries entails extraneous effort of either reviewing medical charts or creating tailored case report forms (CRF). While documentation has shifted from handwritten notes into electronic medical records (EMRs), the majority of information is logged as free text, which is difficult to extract.

The impact of gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks on survival of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) leaks after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is a known life-threatening complication that may alter patients' outcomes. Our aim is to investigate risk factors associated with GI leaks and evaluate the impact of GI leaks on patient's oncological outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of perioperative and oncological outcomes of patients with and without GI leaks after CRS/HIPEC.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on General Surgery Acute Admissions and Urgent Operations: A Comparative Prospective Study.

Background: As part of the effort to control the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak, strict emergency measures, including prolonged national curfews, have been imposed. Even in countries where healthcare systems still functioned, patients avoided visiting emergency departments (EDs) because of fears of exposure to COVID-19.

Objectives: To describe the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on admissions of surgical patients from the ED and characteristics of urgent operations performed.

Perioperative and Oncological Outcomes of Combined Hepatectomy with Complete Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Synchronous peritoneal and liver metastasis in colorectal cancer is a relative contraindication for curative surgery. We aimed to evaluate the safety and oncological outcomes of combined treatment of peritoneal and liver metastasis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients from two prospective databases: peritoneal surface malignancy (n = 536) and hepatobiliary (n = 286).

Intraoperative neurophysiology in pediatric supratentorial surgery: experience with 57 cases.

Purpose: Utilization of intraoperative neurophysiology (ION) to map and assess various functions during supratentorial brain tumor and epilepsy surgery is well documented and commonplace in the adult setting. The applicability has yet to be established in the pediatric age group.

Methods: All pediatric supratentorial surgery utilizing ION of the motor system, completed over a period of 10 years, was analyzed retrospectively for the following variables: preoperative and postoperative motor deficits, extent of resection, sensory-motor mappability and monitorability, location of lesion, patient age, and monitoring alarms.

Value of Cerebrospinal Fluid Lactate Levels in Diagnosing Shunt Infections in Pediatric Patients.

Objective: The diagnosis and timely treatment of shunt infections (SI) in children is of paramount importance. In some cases, the standard cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) variables will not be sufficient for an accurate diagnosis of SI. CSF lactate (LCSF) has been found to assist in differentiating bacterial from nonbacterial meningitis in non-neurosurgical patients.

The value of cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels in diagnosing CSF infections in pediatric neurosurgical patients.

Purpose: Diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infections in patients following neurosurgical procedures can be challenging. CSF lactate (LCSF) has been shown to assist in differentiating bacterial from non-bacterial meningitis in non-neurosurgical patients. The use of lactate in diagnosing CSF-related infections following neurosurgical procedures has been described in adults.

Watertight Dural Closure in Pediatric Craniotomies-Is It Really Necessary?

Background: Dural closure after intracranial procedures is considered crucial to reduce postoperative complications such as pseudomeningocele (PM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, hydrocephalus, and infections. However, watertight dural closure (WTDC) is often difficult to achieve, and dural substitutes often are used. We describe our experience with non-WTDC in children.

Conversion of external ventricular drainage to ventriculo-peritoneal shunt: to change or not to change the proximal catheter?

Purpose: In this study, we investigate the occurrence rate of early shunt infection and malfunction in pediatric patients after converting an external ventricular drainage (EVD) to a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) without replacing the ventricular catheter.

Methods: Data was retrospectively reviewed for 17 pediatric patients (11 male (64.7%), mean age 7.

Giant cranial and cerebellar hemangioma treated with propranolol.

Introduction: Infantile hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors in children. However, cranial involvement of such lesions is rare. Current treatment options for hemangiomas in various locations that would be endangering or disfiguring include follow-up, surgical removal, or administration of corticosteroids, interferon-α, thalidomide, vincristine, propranolol, and laser therapy.

"Growing" cerebellum in an infant after shunt insertion.

Introduction: Supratentorial cortical mantle growth after shunt surgery in infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus is common. However, cerebellar growth and Chiari are rare.

Patient Description: We describe a term newborn with an intraventricular hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus who underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy followed by shunt placement at age 4 months.