Double-Gloving Impairs the Quality of Surgical Knot Tying: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Double-gloving is endorsed by a number of healthcare authorities worldwide, on the basis that it promotes patient and surgeon safety; adoption of this practice amongst surgeons remains limited, based upon anecdotal reporting that double-gloving may compromise surgical technique due to impaired dexterity and sensation. The aim of this study is to formally investigate and demonstrate the effect of double-gloving upon the quality of knot tying, an essential surgical skill.

Methods: An international cohort of practising general surgeons hand tied surgical knots, under both single-gloved and double-gloved conditions, using monofilament and braided sutures, at two different gauges.

Defining response to radiotherapy in rectal cancer using magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological scales.

Aim: To define good and poor regression using pathology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) regression scales after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer.

Methods: A systematic review was performed on all studies up to December 2015, without language restriction, that were identified from MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1960-2015), and EMBASE (1991-2015). Searches were performed of article bibliographies and conference abstracts.

Prospective Validation of a Low Rectal Cancer Magnetic Resonance Imaging Staging System and Development of a Local Recurrence Risk Stratification Model: The MERCURY II Study.

Objective: This study aimed to validate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) staging classification that preoperatively assessed the relationship between tumor and the low rectal cancer surgical resection plane (mrLRP).

Background: Low rectal cancer oncological outcomes remain a global challenge, evidenced by high pathological circumferential resection margin (pCRM) rates and unacceptable variations in permanent colostomies.

Methods: Between 2008 and 2012, a prospective, observational, multicenter study (MERCURY II) recruited 279 patients with adenocarcinoma 6 cm or less from the anal verge.

Metachronous colorectal cancer: a competing risks analysis with consideration for a stratified approach to surveillance colonoscopy.

Background: The incidence of metachronous cancer will become an important clinical consideration as the life expectancy of the population increases and as rates of curative resection improve.

Objective: To assess the pattern of metachronous cancer development following curative resection of colorectal cancer in an unselected patient population offered postoperative colonoscopic surveillance.

Method: Prospective clinical follow-up after curative colorectal cancer resection and surveillance colonoscopy with or without polypectomy in accordance with the national guidelines.

Interferon-γ ELISPOT as a biomarker of treatment efficacy in latent tuberculosis infection: a clinical trial.

Rationale: Biomarkers that can be used to evaluate new interventions against latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and predict reactivation TB disease are urgently required.

Objectives: To evaluate ESAT-6 and CFP-10 (EC) IFN-γ ELISPOT as a biomarker for treatment efficacy in LTBI.

Methods: This was a randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled trial of INH in EC ELISPOT and Mantoux test positive participants.

Outcomes following oesophageal stent insertion for palliation of malignant strictures: A large single centre series.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are an accepted intervention for malignant dysphagia. Stents vary in ease of insertion, removability, migration and occlusion rates. This series reports the complications, morbidity and mortality associated with several SEMS.