Current Role and Future Prospects of Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) in the Management of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer has become the most diagnosed cancer in women globally, with 2.3 million new diagnoses each year. Accurate early staging is essential for improving survival rates with metastatic spread from loco regional to distant metastasis, decreasing mortality rates by 50%.

Prophylactic Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in High-risk Patients Undergoing Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery.

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has emerged as an adjunct to reduce wound complication rates in many surgical domains. This study investigated the prophylactic use of PICO NPWT in high-risk patients undergoing oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter national audit.

'PartBreCon' study. A UK multicentre retrospective cohort study to assess outcomes following PARTial BREast reCONstruction with chest wall perforator flaps.

Background: Partial breast reconstruction with a pedicled chest wall perforator flap (CWPF) enables breast conservation in a higher tumour: breast volume ratio scenario. Since there is limited evidence, this retrospective cohort study aimed to ascertain immediate (30-days) and medium-term (follow-up duration) surgical outcomes.

Methods: STROBE-compliant protocol ascertained CWPF outcomes between March 2011-March 2021.

Assessing variability in breast cancer management across the world: results of a questionnaire survey amongst global international experts in breast cancer management.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide with an estimated 2.3 million breast cancer cases diagnosed annually. The outcome of breast cancer management varies widely across the globe which could be due to a multitude of factors.

A Multicentric Prospective Cohort Study of Modified Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap in Partial Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Oncoplastic breast surgery is well established in many parts of the world and is gaining popularity in the rest of the world. The cornerstone in oncoplastic breast surgery is to respect oncological principles during cancer resection maintaining good aesthetic and cosmetic outcome. With the advancement in local, regional, and systemic treatment for breast cancer, survival has improved, and patients live longer.

A prospective, single-arm, multicentre clinical evaluation of a new localisation technique using non-radioactive Magseeds for surgery of clinically occult breast lesions.

Aim: To evaluate the safety, usefulness, and outcome of Magseed localisation for surgery of non-palpable breast lesions in a non-experimental setting.

Materials And Methods: An audit was undertaken of a prospectively maintained database of patients who had undergone breast surgery under Magseed guidance in two high-volume institutions in the UK. Patients were selected for Magseed localisation depending on service convenience.

Evaluation of discrepancies in weights of fresh and fixed specimens in breast surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Handling of breast specimen is not well monitored and there is limited data on the impact of fixative solutions on specimen weights. Weight of resected breast tissue acts as a guide for future reconstructive and symmetrisation procedures. The aim is to quantitatively evaluate the discrepancies in weight of fresh breast specimen and the weight of specimen after being kept in a fixative solution for a variable length of time.

Tuberculous cold abscess of breast: an unusual presentation in a male patient.

Tuberculosis (TB) of breast is a rare condition especially presentation as a cold abscess. We present a case of male patient with TB of lung and meninges with a cold abscess in the breast. The abscess was incidental finding on the computed tomography (CT) scan.

Accuracy of the Surgeons' Clinical Prediction of Postoperative Major Complications Using a Visual Analog Scale.

Background: Although the risk factors that contribute to postoperative complications are well recognized, prediction in the context of a particular patient is more difficult. We were interested in using a visual analog scale (VAS) to capture surgeons' prediction of the risk of a major complication and to examine whether this could be improved.

Methods: The study was performed in 3 stages.

Feasibility of autologous fat transfer for replacement of implant volume in complicated implant-assisted latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction.

Lipomodeling is gaining popularity and has been widely used in various settings of reconstructive breast surgery. Implant-assisted latissimus dorsi (LD) flap reconstruction of breast is a popular method among the reconstructive surgeons. When this type of reconstruction is met with complications such as infection and capsular contracture, it necessitates removal of implants and patients are left with very limited options of reconstructions.

Feasibility of use of a barbed suture (v-loc 180) for quilting the donor site in latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap breast reconstruction.

Background: Latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap is a popular method of breast reconstruction which can be associated with high incidence of seroma formation. Quilting sutures at the harvest site are used to reduce this. Barbed sutures are self anchoring sutures which avoid multiple knotting and can be useful in quilting.

Measurement of anal cushions in continent women.

Aim: Anal cushions are connective tissue complexes thought to be involved in anal continence. This study aimed to assess them in continent subjects.

Method: Continent women undergoing a transvaginal ultrasound scan for gynaecological reasons were included.

Measurement of anal cushions in idiopathic faecal incontinence.

Background: Faecal incontinence affects a heterogeneous population and aetiology can be multifactorial. In a subset of patients the aetiology remains idiopathic despite standard investigations. Anal cushions are important in normal continence, but have rarely been studied.

Efficacy of the anal fistula plug in complex anorectal fistulae.

Objective: The treatment of complex anorectal and rectovaginal fistulae remains a difficult problem. The options are fistulotomy, setons, fibrin glue and a variety of flap procedures. Recently, there have been several reports of a new plug; the Surgisis AFP plug.

Feasibility and functional outcome of laparoscopic sacrocolporectopexy for combined vaginal and rectal prolapse.

Purpose: Prolapse of multiple pelvic organs causes a variety of symptoms that impair a patient's quality of life. A laparoscopic procedure is described that uses a mesh fixation of the mid-compartment vagina to the sacrum with additional rectopexy to correct both the anatomical deformities and the dysfunction of the posterior compartment.

Methods: Patients with significant rectal and vaginal prolapse with or without rectocele were recruited.

Adenocarcinoid tumour of the appendix masquerading as acute appendicitis: a word of caution.

Adenocarcinoids are rare and aggressive tumors with histological features of both carcinoid tumor and adenocarcinoma. We report a case of a 32-year-old man with diffuse infiltration of the appendix wall and mesoappendix by an adenocarcinoid. Due to the involvement, a hemicolectomy was performed at a later date.

A classification system for faecal incontinence based on anorectal investigations.

Background: Faecal incontinence is a socially disabling condition that affects a heterogeneous population of patients. There is no standardization of investigations, and treatment outcomes are variable. The major limitation for comparing the results from different studies is the lack of a pretreatment classification of incontinence.

The assessment of a rapid noninvasive immunochromatographic assay test for fecal lactoferrin in patients with suspected inflammation of the ileal pouch.

Purpose: Pouchitis is a common complication after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Diagnosis is based on the Pouch Disease Activity Index, which comprises clinical symptoms, endoscopic appearance, and histologic confirmation. A Pouch Disease Activity Index > or = 7 confirms pouchitis.

Contribution of posture to anorectal manometric measurements: are the measurements in left-lateral position physiologic?

Purpose: Anorectal manometry is commonly used to investigate fecal incontinence. Traditional practice dictates that measurements are performed with the patient in the left-lateral position however, episodes of fecal incontinence usually occur in the erect position. The influence of erect posture on anorectal manometry has not been studied.

Awareness of investigations and treatment of faecal incontinence among the general practitioners: a postal questionnaire survey.

Objective: Faecal incontinence is a distressing condition that can result in significant embarrassment and limitation of routine activities. General practitioners (GP) are the primary carers of such patients. There are recent developments in the surgical treatment options for this under-reported condition.

Surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse in females: functional outcome of mesh sacrocolpopexy and rectopexy as a combined procedure.

Purpose: Urogenital prolapse is relatively common compared with rectal prolapse and the combination of urogenital prolapse and rectal prolapse is still more infrequent. This study was designed to evaluate the functional outcome of a series of patients who have undergone open mesh sacrocolporectopexy surgery for combined vaginal and rectal prolapse.

Methods: Consecutive patients from June 2000 to June 2004 with confirmed vaginal and rectal prolapse subsequently underwent open mesh sacrocolporectopexy.

The impact of preoperative immunomodulation on pouch-related septic complications after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

Purpose: We studied preoperative and perioperative factors with particular attention to the role of immunomodulatory medication, which may impact the incidence of pouch-related septic complications.

Methods: A retrospective review of data from patients who underwent ileal pouch surgery during a 20-year period from 1985 to 2005 was performed. Preoperative use of immunomodulatory medication along with perioperative clinical, surgical, and disease variables were recorded.