Physiotherapy Regimens in Esophagectomy and Gastrectomy: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Esophageal and gastric cancer surgery are associated with considerable morbidity, specifically postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), potentially accentuated by underlying challenges with malnutrition and cachexia affecting respiratory muscle mass. Physiotherapy regimens aim to increase the respiratory muscle strength and may prevent postoperative morbidity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of physiotherapy regimens in patients treated with esophagectomy or gastrectomy.

Prognostic relevance of lymph node regression on survival in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The prognostic value of histomorphologic regression in primary esophageal cancer has been previously established, however the impact of lymph node (LN) response on survival still remains unclear. The aim of this review was to assess the prognostic significance of LN regression or downstaging following neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer.

Methods: An electronic search was performed to identify articles evaluating LN regression or downstaging after neoadjuvant therapy.

Assessment of chest wall movement following thoracotomy: a systematic review.

Thoracotomy is a major cause of respiratory impairment, increasing the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). Systems assessing ribcage kinematics may detect changes in chest expansion following thoracotomy and may thus aid in the development of patient-tailored chest physiotherapy. Hence, we aimed to identify studies assessing changes in chest wall movement following thoracotomy using objective measures.

Comparison of Surgical Intervention and Mortality for Seven Surgical Emergencies in England and the United States.

Objective: To examine differences between England and the USA in the rate of surgical intervention and in-hospital mortality for 7 index surgical emergencies.

Background: Considerable international variation exists in the configuration, provision, and outcomes of emergency healthcare.

Methods: Patients aged <80 years hospitalized with 1 of 7 surgical emergencies (ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, appendicitis, perforated esophagus, peptic ulcer, small bowel or large bowel, and incarcerated or strangulated hernias) were identified from English Hospital Episode Statistics and the USA Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2006-2012) and classified by whether they received a corrective surgical intervention.

Detection and management of oligometastatic disease in oesophageal cancer and identification of prognostic factors: A systematic review.

Background: Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. The prognosis of oesophageal cancer patients still remains poor. The 5-year survival rate rarely exceeds 5% in case of metastatic disease.

An international comparison of the utilisation of and outcomes from minimal access surgery for the treatment of common abdominal surgical emergencies.

Background: Minimal access surgery (MAS) has suggested improvements in clinical outcomes compared to open surgery in several abdominal elective and emergency surgeries. The aims of this study were to compare England with the United States in the utilisation of MAS and mortality from four common abdominal surgical emergencies.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2012, the rate of MAS and in-hospital mortality for appendicitis, incarcerated or strangulated abdominal hernia, small or large bowel and peptic ulcer perforation were compared between England and the United States.

The evolution of fast track protocols after oesophagectomy.

Fast track is a standardised goal directed patient's care pathway that aims to facilitate recovery following surgery. Currently, there are large variations in the fast track protocols used in oesophagectomy due to the complexity of the procedure. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the evolution of fast track protocols following oesophagectomy since its implementation and the resulting effect on postoperative outcomes.

Quality of life in oropharyngeal cancer: a structured review of the literature.

Purpose: To summarize the literature on quality of life (QoL) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods: The PubMed database was searched using the inclusion criteria "oropharyngeal cancer," "quality of life," "human," and "English," the exclusion criterion "recurrent," and publication date between January 1, 2005 and October 26, 2015.

Results: The search yielded 98 articles of which 17 fulfilled all selection criteria.