Publications by authors named "Johnn Henry Herrera-Kok"

Background: Surgical de-escalation aims to reduce morbidity without compromising oncological outcomes. Trials to de-escalate breast cancer (BC) surgery among exceptional responders after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) are ongoing. Combined patient and clinician insights on this strategy are unknown.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Gastro-esophageal cancers (GECs) are serious illnesses with rapidly evolving management techniques, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) is focused on enhancing knowledge in this area through a multidisciplinary approach.
  • - The review covers various aspects of GEC management, including oligometastatic cancers, peritoneal metastases, Siewert Type II tumors, robotic surgery, and the use of molecular markers and immune therapies.
  • - The goal is to provide an updated overview of GEC management practices, highlight recent advancements, and promote discussions among surgical oncologists globally, benefiting both seasoned and training professionals in the field.
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Within the intricate field of rectal cancer surgery, the contentious debate over the optimal level of ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) persists as an ongoing discussion, influencing surgical approaches and patient outcomes. This narrative review incorporates historical perspectives, technical considerations, and functional as well as oncological outcomes, addressing key questions related to anastomotic leakage risks, genitourinary function, and oncological concerns, providing a more critical understanding of the well-known inconclusive evidence. Beyond the dichotomy of high versus low tie, it navigates the complexities of colorectal cancer surgery with a fresh perspective, posing a transformative question: "Is low tie ligation truly reproducible?" Considering a multidimensional approach that enhances patient outcomes by integrating the surgeon, patient, technique, and technology, instead of a rigid and categorical statement, we argued that a balanced response to this challenging question may require compromise.

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Introduction: Malnutrition is common in patients suffering from malignant diseases and has a major impact on patient outcomes. Prevention and early detection are crucial for effective treatment. This study aimed to investigate current international practice in the assessment and management of malnutrition in surgical oncology departments.

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Background: Medical workers, including surgical professionals working in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treating hospitals, were under enormous stress during the pandemic. This global study investigated factors endowing COVID-19 amongst surgical professionals and students.

Methods: This global cross-sectional survey was made live on February 18, 2021 and closed for analysis on March 13, 2021.

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  • - Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer, and the primary treatment goal is complete surgical removal along with adequate lymph node examination to aim for a cure.
  • - Quality assurance in surgical care is important, and there's a push for centralized healthcare in specialized hospitals, although there's no international consensus on how to define the ideal surgical setting.
  • - Surgery outcomes are better when performed by experienced surgeons in high-volume centers, but relying on a single measure to evaluate success is inadequate; a comprehensive "textbook outcome" is needed to better assess the quality of cancer care.
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Background: Health care workers, including surgical professionals, experienced psychological burnout and physical harm during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. This global survey investigated the coronavirus 2019 pandemic impact on psychological and physical health.

Methods: We conducted a global cross-sectional survey between February 18, 2021 and March 13, 2021.

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Introduction: Multimodal treatment of patients with advanced pelvic malignancies (APM) is challenging and surgical expertise is usually concentrated in highly specialised centres. Given significant regional variation in APM surgery, surgical training represents a cornerstone in standardising and future-proofing of this complex therapy. The aim of this study was to describe the availability and current satisfaction levels with surgical training for APM.

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