Risk factors influencing postoperative pleural empyema in patients with pleural mesothelioma: a retrospective single-centre analysis.

Objectives: Postoperative empyema is a severe, potentially lethal complication also present, but poorly studied in patients undergoing surgery for pleural mesothelioma. We aimed to analyse which perioperative characteristics might be associated with an increased risk for postoperative empyema.

Methods: From September 1999 to February 2023 a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing surgery for pleural mesothelioma at the University Hospital of Zurich was performed.

How Long Does It Take to Regain Normocalcaemia in the Event of Postsurgical Hypoparathyroidism? A Detailed Time Course Analysis.

Background: Postsurgical hypoparathyroidism (PH) is the most common side effect of bilateral thyroid resections. Data regarding the time course of recovery from PH are currently unavailable. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the time course of PH recovery and conditions associated with rapid recovery was conducted.

Nationwide Study on Stress Perception Among Surgical Residents.

Objective: Declining number of applicants and high attrition of residents are a dire reality. Surgeons in training are confronted to various stressors which interfere with their performance and may promote burnout. This study measures stress levels of Swiss surgical residents.

Statistics decrypted-a comprehensive review and smartphone-assisted five-step approach for good statistical practice.

Background: Statistic scripts are often made by mathematicians and cryptic for clinicians or non-mathematician scientists. Nevertheless, almost all research projects necessitate the application of some statistical tests or at least an understanding thereof. The present review aims on giving an overview of the most common statistical terms and concepts.

Citrulline, Biomarker of Enterocyte Functional Mass and Dietary Supplement. Metabolism, Transport, and Current Evidence for Clinical Use.

L-Citrulline is a non-essential but still important amino acid that is released from enterocytes. Because plasma levels are reduced in case of impaired intestinal function, it has become a biomarker to monitor intestinal integrity. Moreover, oxidative stress induces protein citrullination, and antibodies against anti-citrullinated proteins are useful to monitor rheumatoid diseases.

Lymphovascular invasion is an independent prognostic factor for survival in pathologically proven N2 non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: We aimed to analyse the nodal spread of our non-small cell lung cancer pN2 cohort according to tumour location, the possible implications of an unusual spreading pattern, and other factors influencing postoperative survival after anatomical lung resection.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, clinical data was collected for 124 consecutive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with a pathological N2 (stage IIIA or B) undergoing anatomical lung resection at our institution between 2001 and 2010. Cox regression was used to analyse independent predictors of 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival.

Potential benefit in information providing and influence on patient anxiety and satisfaction by means of preoperative explanatory videos in total extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty: study protocol of a multicentre, double-blinded, randomised parallel-group controlled trial.

Introduction: The use of electronic media in informed consent giving has become increasingly important in recent years. Due to the easy access to information via electronical media, patients are primed in a heterogeneous manner concerning expectations and wishes regarding surgical interventions. Inherent to its nature elective interventions are critically questioned as there is time for information gathering and reflection.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias: Severe defect grade predicts the need for fundoplication.

Over one-third of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) eventually require a Nissen fundoplication (NF). We examined pre- and intraoperative predictors for need of a NF in children undergoing CDH repair to elucidate, which patients will need a later NF.A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients undergoing CDH repair at our institution from 2008 to 2018 was performed.

Is There a Prognostic Difference Between Stage IIIA Subgroups in Lung Cancer?

Background: Treatment of stage IIIA lung cancer remains controversial because it includes a very heterogeneous group of patients. The purpose of our study was to compare survival between stage IIIA subsets and to externally validate our results with another center's database.

Methods: Patients with completely resected stage IIIA/B lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed.

Bladder Duplication - A Case Series.

Objective: To describe 5 cases with complete urinary bladder duplication, their associated conditions, and their respective treatment. Urinary bladder duplication is an extremely rare congenital anomaly of the urinary system. So far about 70 cases have been published in the English literature, most of them as case reports and a few case series.

Plasma citrulline correlates with basolateral amino acid transporter LAT4 expression in human small intestine.

Background & Aims: Plasma citrulline, a non-protein amino acid, is a biochemical marker of small intestine enterocyte mass in humans. Indeed, citrulline is highly correlated with residual bowel length in patients with short bowel syndrome. It is known to be synthesised in epithelial cells of the small intestine from other amino acids (precursors).

Establishment of Single-Port, Laparoscopic, Pediatric Hernia Repair in a Developing Country.

Single-port, laparoscopic, needle-assisted, inguinal hernia repair (LNAR) in children intends to reduce surgical trauma and enables contralateral assessment and closure of contralateral patent processus vaginalis if necessary. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that laparoscopic inguinal repair can be performed safely and cost-effectively in a developing country where laparoscopy is not yet commonly used. In this single-center study, we included all children undergoing LNAR between January 2017 and December 2018.

Is it worth to explore the contralateral side in unilateral childhood inguinal hernia?: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.

Background: It is still not clear if the contralateral side should be explored in children with unilateral inguinal hernias. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the incidence of metachronous contralateral inguinal hernias (MCIHs) in the pediatric population. The second aim was to assess factors associated with increased risk of MCIH development.

Treatment Strategies for Pilonidal Sinus Disease in Switzerland and Austria.

: No current nationwide consensus exists on pilonidal disease (PD) treatment in Switzerland and Austria. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the spectrum of PD treatment strategies in Switzerland and Austria. : A survey including 196 certified institutions (Switzerland, = 99 and Austria, = 97) was performed.

SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 gene expression in small intestine correlates with age.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in COVID-19 patients, especially in younger patients. Our hypothesis was that intestinal SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 expression depends on patients' age. We examined duodenal biopsies from 43 healthy human adults.

Urethral duplication-Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment in a case series of 19 patients.

Background: Urethral duplications are rare congenital anomalies of the urinary tract. Because of their rare occurrence, evidence about epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment is limited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics, presentation, and treatment of a single large cohort of patients.

Aortic Valve Annular Sizing: Intraoperative Assessment Versus Preoperative Multidetector Computed Tomography.

Background: Appropriate valve sizing is critical in aortic valve replacement. We hypothesized that direct intraoperative valve sizing results in smaller aortic annular diameters compared with sizing based on systolic-phase multidetector computerized tomographic (MDCT) imaging.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 78 patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis between 2012 and 2014 at our institution.

The Use of Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest During Heart Transplantation Does Not Worsen Posttransplant Survival.

Background: Hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) has been used as an adjunct to cardiopulmonary bypass for decades, both electively and emergently, to facilitate a bloodless operative field while maintaining cerebral protection. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of HCA during heart transplantation on posttransplant outcomes.

Methods: All adult patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation at our institution between 2000 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed.

Bridging Anticoagulation After Mechanical Aortic Heart Valve Replacement: A Questionable Routine.

Background: This retrospective single-center study evaluates differences in bleeding and thrombotic events between a homogenous group of patients undergoing mechanical aortic valve replacement who either received or did not receive intravenous unfractionated heparin or subcutaneous low-molecular weight heparin as bridging strategy to warfarin therapy.

Methods: Clinical data on a total of 158 patients undergoing mechanical aortic valve replacement at our center between 2001 and 2014 were collected. Patients were grouped according to postoperative anticoagulation strategy: warfarin only (n = 53) and warfarin plus heparin bridge (n = 105).

Bicuspid aortic valve increases risk of permanent pacemaker implant following aortic root replacement.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the incidence and possible differences in postoperative conduction delay after aortic root replacement (ARR) in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients compared with a tricuspid aortic valve (TAV).

Methods: A total of 380 patients undergoing ARR at our institution between 2005 and 2013 were included in the analysis. Patients were stratified by aortic valve anatomy: BAV, n = 191 vs TAV, n = 189.

Reversibility of chronic kidney disease and outcomes following aortic valve replacement†.

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prevalent in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). We sought to evaluate the impact of AVR on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels and determine the impact of reversibility of CKD on postoperative outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2169 patients who underwent isolated AVR between 2000 and 2012.