Perceptions of online surgical-focused learning amongst surgeons during the COVID pandemic: A scoping review 2020-22.

Introduction: During the COVID pandemic many centres adopted e-learning as a tool to adhere to social distancing recommendations while continuing to provide ongoing postgraduate medical education. We aimed to complete this scoping review in order to map experience and perceptions amongst surgeons and surgical trainees to remote learning during the COVID pandemic.

Methods: Using Arksey and O'Malley's five step model for conducting a scoping review, a systematic search strategy was undertaken across three online databases SCOPUS, MEDLINE and Web of Science.

Needs assessment study of postgraduate surgical education in Sudan: Trainees perspective.

Introduction: Global interest has increased in improving the quality and increasing the number of graduates from surgical training programmes in countries with limited resources. Needs assessment of stakeholders in the training programmes represent the backbone of such process. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical training in Sudan from trainees' perspective in order to inform training delivery.

Diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia as risk factors for spontaneous cervical artery dissection: Meta-analysis of case-control studies.

Spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCeAD) is an important cause of ischemic stroke in the young population and has a different cardiovascular risk profile from other causes of ischemic stroke. No study provided a comprehensive evidence for cardiovascular risk factors of sCeAD. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase without date or language restrictions for relevant studies.

Peri-procedural thromboprophylaxis in the prevention of DVT in varicose vein interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the role of thromboprophylaxis in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing varicose vein interventions.

Methods: PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched for comparative studies of patients undergoing varicose vein interventions and received either thromboprophylaxis or no thromboprophylaxis. Data were collected on the number of thrombotic events including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and endothermal heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) as well as bleeding events.

SVS WIfI score as a predictor of amputation after onset of CLI: Validation in an Irish tertiary vascular unit.

Introduction: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) in diabetic patients is defined by non-healing foot ulcer or rest pain for more than 2 weeks with ankle pressure of less than 40 mmHg. The SVS WIfI classification system stratifies CLI on the basis of perfusion, extent of wound and superadded infection to provide a composite score which guides further management and predicts final prognosis OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to use the SVS WIfI scoring system to predict the need for early revascularization versus early amputation depending on the composite WIfI score at presentation.

Methodology: This was a retrospective observational study.

Does metformin improve reproduction outcomes for non-obese, infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome? Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 10-12% of women of reproductive age. The prevalence of infertility in women with PCOS is high at between 70 and 80%. Treatment initially includes recommendations to follow preconception guidelines, such as lifestyle changes, folic acid therapy and halting the consumption of tobacco and alcohol.

Poor patient awareness of peripheral arterial disease, it is time to optimize the clinical visit.

Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a growing public health burden. The development and progression of PAD is influenced by vascular risk factor management and lifestyle changes. However, public awareness of PAD is low compared with other conditions such as heart disease and stroke, which have been the subject of widespread public health campaigns.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating long-term outcomes of endovenous management of lower extremity varicose veins.

Background: Early studies have demonstrated that endovenous therapy for varicose veins is associated with a faster recovery and lower complication rates compared with conventional therapy. More than one million procedures have been performed worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine long-term efficacy of currently available endovenous therapy methods for varicose veins compared with conventional surgery (saphenofemoral ligation and stripping of great saphenous vein [GSV] with or without multiple avulsions) in management of GSV-related varicose veins.

Supervised exercise therapy in the management of peripheral arterial disease - an assessment of compliance.

Background: Supervised exercise therapy (SET) is an effective option in the management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Unfortunately, poor compliance remains prevalent. This study aimed to assess patient exercise compliance and to identify factors influencing symptomatic improvement and SET participation.

Can a Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Derived from Preoperative Blood Tests Predict Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation?

Background: To evaluate the association between inflammatory markers expressed as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and process of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with end-stage renal disease referred for formation of a new AVF in one center. Patients referred to the vascular service in the University Hospital of Limerick for creation of vascular access between 2009 and 2013.

Evidence for varicose vein surgery in venous leg ulceration.

Background: Venous leg ulcers affect 1-3% of adults with a significant economic impact, utilizing 1% of annual healthcare budgets in some western European countries.

Objectives: To determine the effects of intervention for incompetent superficial veins on ulcer healing and recurrence in patients with active or healed venous ulcers.

Search Methods: In October 2014, we searched Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus, the Cochrane library and Web of Science without date or language restriction for relevant randomized or observational studies.

The Use of Arteriovenous Fistulae as an Adjunct to Peripheral Arterial Bypass: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Peripheral arterial bypass is an effective procedure for the management of patients with critical limb ischaemia. However, it is commonly associated with high rates of graft occlusion and subsequent limb loss. This is particularly apparent when the distal anastomosis is to the below-knee arterial segment.

Arteriovenous fistula in dialysis patients: Factors implicated in early and late AVF maturation failure.

Increasing numbers of patients are being diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and the demand for on haemodialysis (HD) is rising. Arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) remain the best conduit for adequate HD, with fewer complications associated with long-term use compared to bypass grafts and central venous catheters. However, it is known that many newly formed fistulae do not mature to provide useful HD access.

Comparing Supervised Exercise Therapy to Invasive Measures in the Management of Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Consensus rightly demands the incorporation of supervised exercise training (SET) into PAD treatment protocols. However, the exact role of SET particularly its relationship with intervention requires further clarification.

Preconditioning Shields Against Vascular Events in Surgery (SAVES), a multicentre feasibility trial of preconditioning against adverse events in major vascular surgery: study protocol for a randomised control trial.

Background: Patients undergoing vascular surgery procedures constitute a 'high-risk' group. Fatal and disabling perioperative complications are common. Complications arise via multiple aetiological pathways.

Role of far infra-red therapy in dialysis arterio-venous fistula maturation and survival: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: A well-functioning arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the best modality for vascular access in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring haemodialysis (HD). However, AVFs' main disadvantage is the high rate of maturation failure, with approximately one third (20%-50%) not maturing into useful access. This review examine the use of Far-Infra Red therapy in an attempt to enhance both primary (unassisted) and secondary (assisted) patency rates for AVF in dialysis and pre-dialysis patients.

Mismatch repair protein expression in colorectal cancer.

Introduction: Alterations in at least six of the genes that encode proteins involved in the mismatch repair (MMR) system have been identified in either HNPCC or sporadic colon cancer. We aimed to analyse the proportion of patients with colorectal cancer with loss of immunostaining for MMR proteins in order to determine the feasibility of molecular screening for the loss of MMR proteins through the study of unselected patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: A group of 33 patients with colorectal cancer was randomly selected from the department of surgery bio-bank to determine the expression of MMR proteins in their FFPE tumour tissues using immunohistochemistry techniques.

Endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA): early experience.

Background: Repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) represents a considerable technical challenge. Since its first description in 1955, open repair of TAAA has been considered the gold standard of repair. Despite improvements in surgical techniques, spinal cord protection and post-operative critical care support, patients who undergo open repair are faced with a mortality rate of 5-35 %.

Clinical applications of gene expression in colorectal cancer.

Background: Despite developments in diagnosis and treatment, 20% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients present with metastatic disease and 30% of cases recur after curative surgery. Furthermore, the molecular factors involved in prognosis and response to therapy in CRC is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to quantitatively examine the expression of target genes in colorectal cancer and to correlate their expression levels with clinico-pathological variables.

miRNA expressions in rectal cancer as predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy has been shown to improve the outcome in patients with rectal cancer and is generally accepted as standard care; however, only selected patients would benefit from this treatment. We aimed to identify predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in colorectal cancer using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues as source of genetic materials and microarray analysis as investigation tool.

Methods: After optimization of RNA extraction methods from FFPE, microarray analysis was carried out on total RNA extracted from 12 pre-treatment FFPE rectal tissues using Megaplex pool A.

A comparative study of the bell-bottom technique vs hypogastric exclusion for the treatment of aneurysmal extension to the iliac bifurcation.

Introduction: A significant proportion of patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) have common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAA). Aneurysmal involvement at the iliac bifurcation potentially undermines long-term durability.

Methods: Patients with CIAA who underwent EVAR were identified in two teaching hospitals.