Using a Reinforced Stapler Decreases the Incidence of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula After Distal Pancreatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is no consensus on the pancreatic transection during distal pancreatectomy (DP) to reduce postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of a reinforced stapler on the postoperative outcomes of DP.

Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases and bibliographic reference lists in The PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library's Controlled Trials Registry and Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, and Scopus.

Early salvage total mesorectal excision (sTME) after organ preservation failure in rectal cancer does not worsen postoperative outcomes compared to primary TME: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Importance: While oncological outcomes of early salvage total mesorectal excision (sTME) after local excision (LE) have been well studied, the impact of LE before TME on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to compare early sTME with a primary TME for rectal cancer.

Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines with the random-effects model were adopted using Review Manager Version 5.

Irrigation during laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis increases the operative time and reoperation rate: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

This meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT) aimed to compare peritoneal irrigation followed by suction with aspiration only during laparoscopic surgery for complicated appendicitis (LA). PRISMA guidelines with the random-effects model were adopted using Review Manager Version 5.3 for pooled estimates.

Impact of liver transplantation on the risk of second malignant tumors among hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: Population-based data on the development of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) following the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are uncommon. We evaluated this clinical vignette in HCC patients within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods: The SEER database (1973-2012) was queried using the SEER*Stat program to determine the clinico-pathological features of HCC patients with more than one year survival who developed SMNs.

Interferon-γ, interleukin-10 and interferon-inducible protein 10 (CXCL10) as serum biomarkers for the early allograft dysfunction after liver transplantation.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (LTP) is nowadays a standard procedure, and provides the chance of survival of patients with end-stage non-treatable chronic liver disease or acute liver failure. Despite long-term survival with a good quality of life in the majority of patients, about 20% develop early allograft dysfunction (EAD), which leads to death or the need for re-transplantation. Therefore, the early diagnosis of EAD and evaluation of its risk factors are very important.

Increased serum levels of quinolinic acid indicate enhanced severity of hepatic dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is a tool for assessment of the degree of hepatic insufficiency/failure. Quinolinic acid (QuinA) is a tryptophan metabolite produced by activated macrophages. Here we investigate whether the degree of systemic inflammation (QuinA, neopterin, CRP and IL-6) correlates with clinical liver dysfunction according to the MELD Score.