Primary closure versus vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap closure of perineal wound following abdominoperineal resection-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose/aim: Perianal wound healing and/or complications are common following abdominoperineal resection (APR). Although primary closure is commonly undertaken, myocutaneous flap closure such as vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM) is thought to improve wound healing process and outcome. A comprehensive meta-analysis was performed to compare outcomes of primary closure versus VRAM flap closure of perineal wound following APR.

Prognostic value of pre-operative mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in colorectal cancer.

Background: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has been shown to have some correlation to oncological outcomes in oesophageal cancer, with high pre-operative MCV associated with disease recurrence. A similar association has previously been reported in colorectal cancer.

Aims: This study is aimed at investigating whether high MCV bears similar relation to post-operative outcome and disease recurrence in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) in colorectal cancer is associated with increased cancer recurrence and cancer-related death.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes vary depending on tumour biology, with several features used to predict disease behaviour. Extramural venous invasion (EMVI) is associated with negative outcomes and its presence has been established as an indicator of more aggressive disease in CRC.

Methods: A prospectively maintained database was examined for patients undergoing curative resection for non-metastatic CRC between 2012 and 2018 in a tertiary institution.