The modified frailty index-11 predicts medium-term outcomes after endovascular revascularisation for chronic limb threatening ischaemia in Asian patients.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the utility of frailty, as defined by the modified Frailty Index-1 1 (mFI-11) on predicting outcomes following endovascular revascularisation in Asian patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI).

Methods: CLTI patients who underwent endovascular revascularisation between January 2015 and March 2017 were included. Patients were retrospectively scored using the mFI-11 to categorise frailty as low, medium or high risk.

The Modified Frailty Index Does Not Predict Mortality After Major Lower Extremity Amputation for Peripheral Arterial Disease in an Asian Population.

Background: Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) who undergo major lower extremity amputation (LEA) have been associated with high one-year mortality rates. Previous western-based studies have identified risk factors that exponentiate these poor outcomes, including nonambulatory status and cardiovascular morbidity. We assessed the effect of frailty, using the modified frailty index (mFI) in a cohort undergoing major LEA for CLI to predict mortality, perioperative complications, and unplanned readmissions in a tertiary institution from Singapore.

Somatostatin analogues and the risk of post-operative pancreatic fistulas after pancreatic resection - A systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background: Post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a common complication of pancreatic resection. Somatostatin analogues (SA) have been used as prophylaxis to reduce its incidence. The aim of this study is to appraise the current literature on the effects of SA prophylaxis on the prevention of POPF following pancreatic resection.

Trans-arterial chemoembolization + radiofrequency ablation versus surgical resection in hepatocellular carcinoma - A meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remains the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide, with countries in Asia being affected the most. The mainstay of curative therapy for early HCC is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or surgery; either surgical resection (SR) or liver transplantation. Latest evidence however suggests that combination of TACE+ RFA may provide outcomes comparable to SR.

Catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy, an alternative to ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose vein treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy is a new addition to the treatment modalities available for varicose veins. As a modification of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy has been purported to offer higher complete ablation rates and an improved safety profile. The aim of this study is to appraise the current literature on the outcomes of catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy compared to ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in chronic venous insufficiency.

Risk factors for distal stent graft-induced new entry in type B aortic dissections: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: After the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair in the management of type B aortic dissection (TBAD), there has been increasing recognition of the phenomenon of stent graft-induced new entry (SINE) as a late complication of thoracic endovascular aortic repair, with risk factors for SINE identified. We performed a meta-analysis of contemporary studies to establish the risk factors for distal SINE (dSINE).

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to investigate the risk factors for dSINE.

Ectopic retained gallstone causing an abdominal wall abscess.

A 67-year-old lady was managed with percutaneous cholecystostomy for severe acute cholecystitis with septic shock. An interval laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy was done at 8 weeks. Her post-operative phase was complicated by intra-abdominal abscess requiring radiologically guided percutaneous drain insertion.

Endovascular treatment of cephalic arch stenosis in brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to appraise the current literature on the endovascular management options and their outcomes of cephalic arch stenosis in the setting of a failing brachiocephalic fistula for hemodialysis.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar from January 2000 to December 2017 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to investigate the outcomes of endovascular management of cephalic arch stenosis. Data from randomized controlled trials and observational studies, published in the English language, were extracted to determine pooled proportion of primary and secondary patency, using a random-effects meta-analysis.

The association between diabetes and thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Objective: The negative correlation between diabetes mellitus (DM) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is well described. The etiologic similarities and differences between AAAs and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) have also been documented. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between DM and TAA by performing a meta-analysis of contemporary clinical studies.

Severe ischemic cytomegalovirus proctocolitis with multiple perforation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) typically causes gastrointestinal infections in immunocompetent patients. Colonic perforations secondary to CMV are exceeding rare. We describe a 88-year-old male presenting with a week-long history of intractable abdominal discomfort, bloating, nausea and diarrhea.