Worse cholecystectomy outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: were staff shortages or a change in patient case-mix the culprit?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the field of surgery, mostly through infectious risks, staff shortages, reduced hospital capacities, and changed patient pathways. Prompted by an increase in wound complications, we performed an in-depth analysis of an example surgical procedure.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of 195 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy was studied retrospectively.

Parameters predicting postoperative pain and quality of life after hemorrhoidectomy: follow-up results from a prospective multicenter randomized trial.

Purpose: Pain and reduced quality of life (QoL) are major subjects of interest after surgery for hemorrhoids. The aim of this study was to find predictive parameters for postoperative pain and QoL after hemorrhoidectomy.

Methods: This is a follow-up analysis of data derived from a multicenter randomized controlled trial including 770 patients, which examines the usefulness of tamponade after hemorrhoidectomy.

Tamponade dressing versus no dressing after haemorrhoidectomy: multicentre, randomized clinical trial.

Background: Symptomatic haemorrhoids are a common anorectal disorder. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the omission of tamponade dressings after haemorrhoidectomy reduces postoperative pain without increasing the risk of severe bleeding.

Method: This was an open-label, randomized clinical trial conducted at 14 German hospitals.

Active aspiration versus simple compression to remove residual gas from the abdominal cavity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: After laparoscopic surgical procedures, residual gas in the abdominal cavity can cause post-operative pain, which is commonly located in the shoulder region. Previous studies suggested that post-laparoscopy pain can be prevented by active suctioning of intraabdominal gas at the end of surgery.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial (registered at DRKS 00,023,286) compared active suctioning versus manual compression in their ability to reduce pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Use of plastic adhesive skin drapes in cancer patients undergoing totally implantable vascular access port (TIVAP) placement-a randomized controlled pilot study.

Purpose: A totally implantable vascular access port (TIVAP) is commonly required in cancer patients. Possible adverse events after TIVAP implantation include surgical site infection (SSI) and port-related bacteremia. This study examined whether adhesive surgical drapes can reduce the risk of SSI.

Efficacy of conservative treatment of perianal abscesses in children and predictors for therapeutic failure.

Background: The optimal management of perianal abscess in children is controversial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of conservative treatment of perianal abscess in children and identify parameters that predict therapy failure.

Methods: All cases of children younger than 14 years of age with perianal abscesses between 2001-2016 were evaluated.

Correction to: Tamponade dressings versus no tamponade after hemorrhoidectomy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

After publication of the original article [1], the authors have notified us that their originally submitted Table 1 was mistakenly replaced with Fig. 3 during editing. The original article has been corrected.

Tamponade dressings versus no tamponade after hemorrhoidectomy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Symptomatic hemorrhoids are one of the most common anorectal disorders. Many surgeons use tamponades after open hemorrhoidectomy to manage postoperative bleeding. The question of whether a tamponade is necessary and beneficial after hemorrhoidectomy has not yet been conclusively answered.

Tamponade dressings may be unnecessary after haemorrhoidectomy: a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Purpose: Bleeding after haemorrhoidectomy is common. Many surgical textbooks recommend insertion of an anal tampon in order to reduce postoperative bleeding. This practice, however, is bothersome and probably painful for patients.

Why so late?!--delay in treatment of colorectal cancer is socially determined.

Purpose: The interval between symptom onset and therapy in patients with colorectal cancer was studied.

Methods: One hundred twenty three patients with colorectal cancer were included. Demography data, symptoms, consultations, and tumour stage were obtained by standardized questionnaires.

Sixty-month follow-up after endoscopic inguinal hernia repair with three types of mesh: a prospective randomized trial.

Background: This prospective, clinical, randomized, double-blind study was intended to investigate the impact of the structure and the amount of polypropylene (PP) mesh used in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplastic (TAPP) on physical function and life quality.

Methods: 180 male patients with primary inguinal hernia undergoing TAPP were randomized for using a heavyweight (108 g/m(2)), double-filament PP mesh (Prolene, 10 x 15 cm, group A, n = 60), a multifilament, heavyweight variant (116 g/m(2)) of PP mesh (Serapren, 10 x 15 cm, group B, n = 60), or a composite mesh (polyglactin and PP) (Vypro II, 10 x 15 cm, group C, n = 60). We compared in terms of complications (seromas, recurrence rate) and life quality (pain development, physical function).

Delay in treatment of colorectal cancer: multifactorial problem.

The stage of a colorectal carcinoma represents the most important prognostic factor regarding the probability of survival. The primary objective of this study was to document the management of patients with colorectal carcinoma after onset of symptoms. Factors influencing the delay in definitive therapy should thus be determined.