Does timely reporting of preoperative CT scans influence outcomes for patients following emergency laparotomy?

Introduction: Timely preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans are important for patients requiring emergency laparotomy. United Kingdom guidelines state that a CT scan should be reported within 1h for 'critical' patients (will alter management at the time) and within 12h for 'urgent' patients (will alter management but not necessarily that day).

Methods: An observational study included patients who were added to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) at a National Health Service trust from 2014 to 2021.

Murine models of advanced maternal age: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In Brief: Animal models have been developed to aid understanding of the increased incidence of adverse pregnancy complications observed in women of advanced maternal age (AMA). This systematic review of murine models of AMA demonstrates consistent effects of decreased litter size and fetal weight; this supports the future use of these models to determine pathophysiological mechanisms and test therapeutic strategies to improve poor pregnancy outcomes in AMA.

Abstract: Advanced maternal age (AMA; ≥35 years of age) is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Plasma S1P and Sphingosine are not Different Prior to Pre-Eclampsia in Women at High Risk of Developing the Disease.

Sphingolipids like sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. We hypothesized that plasma S1P would be increased in women at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia who subsequently develop the disease. Low circulating placental growth factor (PlGF) is known to be associated with development of pre-eclampsia; so further, we hypothesized that increased S1P would be associated with concurrently low PlGF.

Sacroperineal Reconstruction With Inferior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flaps After Resection of Locally Advanced Primary and Recurrent Anorectal Malignancy.

Modern interdisciplinary concepts with involvement of various surgical specialties can considerably reduce perioperative morbidity after sacroperineal resection of locally advanced primary or recurrent anorectal malignancies. Resultant defects can represent a major challenge for reconstruction particularly with chemoradiotherapy. The aim is to assess the long-term outcomes of sacroperineal reconstruction using inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps.

Establishing a COVID-secure site for elective surgery during the COVID pandemic: An observational study.

Introduction: Maintaining timely and safe delivery of major elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to manage cancer and time-critical surgical conditions. Our NHS Trust established a COVID-secure elective site with a level 2 Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) facility. Patients requiring level 3 Intensive Care Unit admission were transferred to a non-COVID-secure site.