Validity of the Cleft Aesthetic Rating Scale Does Not Improve with Inclusion of Fixed Scores for Atypical Outcomes.

Objective: The Cleft Aesthetic Rating Scale (CARS) is a valid tool to assess the aesthetic outcome after unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) repair. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the reliability of CARS increases by including fixed rates for atypical outcomes such as a smaller nostril, lower vermillion border or whistling deformity.

Design: 197 patients with UCLP who underwent cleft repair were included.

Local recurrence after local excision of early rectal cancer: a meta-analysis of completion TME, adjuvant (chemo)radiation, or no additional treatment.

Background: The risks of local recurrence and treatment-related morbidity need to be balanced after local excision of early rectal cancer. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine oncological outcomes after local excision of pT1-2 rectal cancer followed by no additional treatment (NAT), completion total mesorectal excision (cTME) or adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy (aCRT).

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library.